Endoxifen methods and compositions in the treatment of psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides compositions containing endoxifen, formulations and liposomes of endoxifen, methods of preparation of such agents and formulations, and use of such agents and formulations for the treatment of a subject having or at risk for psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. Specifically, the present invention relates to the composition comprising endoxifen in the treatment of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, Huntington&#39;s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and/or epilepsy by administrating formulations or compositions comprising an effective amount of endoxifen.

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/470,219, filed May 21, 2009, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/515,261, filed May 15, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No.9,333,190, which is a 371 National Stage Application of InternationalApplication No. PCT/US07/85443, filed Nov. 21, 2007, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/860,420, filed Nov.21, 2006, and 60/860,788, filed Nov. 22, 2006, each of which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the use of endoxifen in the treatment ofmammalian diseases. The invention also relates to liposomes and otherformulations such as complexes, vesicles, emulsions, micelles and mixedmicelles of endoxifen, methods of preparation, and uses, e.g., in thetreatment of human and animal breast diseases. The invention inparticular relates to compositions comprising endoxifen-lipid complexes,methods of preparation, and their use for the treatment of breastdiseases, in particular benign and malignant breast disease, enhancingdisease regression and reducing risk of patients developing breastcancer. This invention further relates to the endoxifen and compositionscomprising endoxifen in the treatment of psychiatric andneurodegenerative diseases. In particular, the present invention furtherrelates to the use of compositions comprising endoxifen in the treatmentof bipolar disease, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimerdisease, Parkinson disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateralsclerosis (ALS), and epilepsy The invention still further relates tomethods of preparing endoxifen and use of endoxifen prepared byinventive method in the treatment of human and animal diseases.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Every year more than 210, 000 women in the United States develop breastcancer. One in eight women in the US will develop breast cancer duringtheir lives. Approximately 70 percent of breast cancers are fueled byestrogen, and many are treated with tamoxifen, a drug designed to blockthe effects of estrogen in breast tissue.

Tamoxifen is an anti-estrogenic drug prescribed for long-term, low dosetherapy of breast cancer. It has been widely used for more than 30 yearsfor the endocrine treatment of all stages of hormone receptor-positivebreast cancer (1, 2). Tamoxifen has also been approved for theprevention of breast cancer (3). In women, one of the adverse eventsassociated with tamoxifen is hot flashes. The risk of hot flashes is twoto three-folds higher among women who take tamoxifen than it is forthose who do not (4, 5). Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)antidepressants are prescribed to treat hot flashes. However, someSSRIs, such as paroxetine and fluoxetine, are known to inhibitcytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 (6), an enzyme that is important for themetabolism of many drugs, including tamoxifen (5). Furthermore, there isa large inter-individual and ethnic variability in tamoxifen metabolismdue to CYP2D6 genetic polymorphism affecting its expression and function(7). Thus, the understanding of tamoxifen metabolism and effect haschanged clinical practice through the wide spread recognition that theco-prescription of drugs that inhibit CYP2D6 may compromise tamoxifenefficacy.

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental illness that is associated with asubstantial risk of suicide among those affected (8). Lithium andvalproate are widely used as mood stabilizers in bipolar disorder,however, a substantial minority of patients fails to respond, or respondonly partially, to these agents (8). Therefore, the development of noveltherapeutic agents with a quicker, more potent, and more specificmode(s) of action with fewer side effects are required.

Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). Recentinvestigations strongly support a therapeutic role of estrogen/SERMs inpsychiatric diseases (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia) and aneuroprotective effect in neurodegenerative conditions (e.g., multiplesclerosis, Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease, and stroke). In a ratmodel of mania (9) and in two clinical trials with bipolar patients (10,11). This is suggested to be attributed to attenuation of the actions ofprotein kinase C (PKC) (WO 2008/048194 to Yesilogluj). Tamoxifen usealso showed improvement in manic symptoms in patients withschizoaffective disorder (12), and several neuroprotective effects oftamoxifen have been documented (13, 14). Furthermore, there is evidencethat tamoxifen may have neurotrophic effects, e.g., by increasingsynaptic density and stimulating neurite outgrowth (13). However, asnoted in the discussion, above, the efficacy of treatment usingtamoxifen can be compromised by other drugs or by mutations that disruptthe metabolism of the drug.

A strong need exists for methods of using SERMs in therapy, with reducedadverse systemic side effects. In addition, there is a need for methodsand compositions to treat and prevent diseases such as breast cancer andbipolar disorder with compositions having reduced interactive effectwith other medications, and reduced sensitivity to patient geneticsinvolving mutations in genes encoding key drug metabolizing enzymes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides methods and compositions for thesyntheses and use of active agents such as anticancer agents and agentsfor treatment of psychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions. Thepresent invention relates to methods and compositions related to theformulations and uses of endoxifen, particularly in applications relatedto the treatment or prevention of cancer, and in the treatment andprevention of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disease.

The compositions of the present invention can be employed to treatpsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. For example, thecompositions of the present invention may be administered to a patientdiagnosed with bipolar disorder or manic disorder. The exemplaryexamples of psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases treatable by thepresent inventive compositions include but not limited to bipolardisorder, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosisdiseases, epilepsy, and the like.

ENDOXIFEN (4-hydroxy N-desmethyl tamoxifen) is an active metabolite ofthe marketed drug tamoxifen for the treatment of breast cancer.Tamoxifen is extensively metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymesCYP3A4 and CYP2D6 into active metabolites including 4-hydroxy tamoxifenand 4-hydroxy-N-desmethyl tamoxifen (endoxifen) (FIG. 3). The use ofendoxifen as a therapeutic agent e.g., for cancer, and psychiatric andneurodegenerative diseases has significant advantages compared to use ofthe mother compound tamoxifen, which requires metabolic activation bycytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes whose actions are variable because ofgenetic polymorphism and inhibition via drug-drug interaction.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treatinga disease, comprising, preparing a composition comprising atherapeutically active amount of endoxifen and administering thecomposition. In some embodiments, the endoxifen is a free base, or is inthe form of a salt. In some preferred embodiments, the endoxifen is inthe form of a salt selected from the group of salts consisting ofcitrate, acetate, formate, sulfonate, oxalate, succinate, tartarate,trifluoroacetate, methane sulfonate, phosphate, sulfate, chloride,bromide, iodide, and lactate. In preferred embodiments, the salt is inthe form of citrate. In some embodiments, the endoxifen is predominantlyin a form selected from the group consisting of E-isomer, Z-isomer, anda mixture of E- and Z-isomer.

In some embodiments, method comprises preparing a complex comprising ananticancer or an psychiatric therapeutic drug and at least one lipid. Insome embodiments, the drug is endoxifen. In some embodiments, thecompounds of the invention are not complexed with a lipid. In someembodiments, the compound is in the form of a free base or is in theform of a salt.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of preparingendoxifen, comprising reacting a compound of Formula 5 with acid,wherein the compound of formula 5 has the structure:

and, after the reaction of the compound of Formula 5 with acid, reactingthe compound with methylamine. In some embodiments, the compound ofFormula 5 is prepared by reacting compound of formula 4

with a compound of Formula 3.

In some embodiments, the compound of Formula 3 is prepared by reactingcompound of Formula 1

with a compound of Formula 2.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of purifyingthe endoxifen as described above, comprising crystallizing the endoxifenand/or chromatographically treating said endoxifen to produce a purifiedpreparation of endoxifen, wherein the purified preparation of endoxifencontains predominantly E-isomer, predominantly Z-isomer, or mixture ofE- and Z-isomers of endoxifen.

As described above, in some embodiments, the invention provides endoxfenpreparations comprising at least one lipid. In preferred embodiments,the at least one lipid is selected from the group consisting of eggphosphatidylcholine (EPC), egg phosphatidylglycerol (EPG), soyphosphatidylcholine (SPC), hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine (HSPC),dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC), dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol(DMPG), dipalmitoylphosohatidylcholine (DPPC),disteroylphosphatidylglycerol (DSPG), dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol(DMPG), cholesterol (Chol), cholesterol sulfate and its salts (CS),cholesterol hemisuccinate and its salts (Chems), cholesterol phosphateand its salts (CP), cholesterylphosphocholine and otherhydroxycholesterol or amino cholesterol derivatives, cholesterylsuccinate, cholesteryl oleate, polyethylene glycol derivatives ofcholesterol (cholesterol-PEG), coprostanol, cholestanol, cholestane,cholic acid, cortisol, corticosterone, hydrocortisone, and calciferol,E-guggulsterone, Z-guggulsterone, mixture of E- and Z-guggulsterone,monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, carbohydrate-based lipidsselected from a group consisting of galactolipid, mannolipid,galactolecithin, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, stigmastanol, lanosterol,α-spinasterol, lathosterol, campesterol, phosphatidylcholine,phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine,phosphatdylinositol, phosphatidic acid, and pegylated derivatives ofdistearoylphosphatidylglycerol, dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol,dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol, and dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol.

In some embodiments, a composition according to the present inventioncomprises endoxifen, cholesterol and/or cholesterol derivatives, and oneor more phospholipids. In some preferred embodiments, the compositioncomprises a cholesterol derivative, and the cholesterol derivative ischolesteryl sulfate. In some embodiments, at least one of thephospholipids is hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine or soyphosphatidylcholine.

In some embodiments of the methods and compositions of the presentinvention, the composition comprises a form selected from the groupconsisting of powder, solution, emulsion, micelle, liposome, lipidicparticle, gel, and paste form. In some preferred embodiments, thepreparing of the composition comprising a complex comprises preparingsaid complex in a lyophilized form. In some embodiments, the preparingthe complex in a lyophilized form comprises using a cryoprotectant,wherein said cryoprotectant comprises one or more sugars selected fromthe group consisting of trehalose, maltose, lactose, sucrose, glucose,and dextran. In some embodiments, the composition comprises a tablet ora filled capsule, wherein said tablet or filled capsule optionallycomprises an enteric coating material.

In some embodiments of the treatment methods of the present invention,the disease is caused by cancer or by cancer-causing agents, while insome embodiments, the disease is benign breast disease.

In some embodiments, the administering comprises oral, intravenous,subcutaneous, percutaneous, parenteral, intraperitoneal, rectal,vaginal, and/or topical delivery said composition to said subject.

In some embodiments, the composition comprises a penetration enhancer,wherein said penetration enhancer comprises at least one saturated orunsaturated fatty acid ester.

In some embodiments, the composition comprising endoxifen is formulatedin a hydroalcoholic gel, a hydroalcoholic solution, a patch, a cream, anemulsion, a lotion, an ointment, a powder or an oil.

In some embodiments, the composition comprising endoxifen is formulatedin a hydroalcoholic composition containing a penetration enhancer, anaqueous vehicle, an alcoholic vehicle and a gelling agent.

In some embodiments, the hydroalcoholic composition comprises aneutralizing agent.

In some embodiments, the hydroalcoholic composition comprises endoxifenat about 0.01% to 0.20% by weight; isopropyl myristate at about 0.1% to2.0%, preferably 0.5% to 2.0% by weight; alcohol at about 50.0% to80.0%, preferably about 60.0% to 75.0% by weight; aqueous vehicle atabout 20.0% to 60.0%, preferably 25.0% to 50.0% by weight; and gellingagent at about 1.0% to 10.0%, preferably about 0.5% to 5.0% by weight.In some embodiments, the wherein the percentage of components is weightto weight of the composition.

In some embodiments, the alcohol is ethanol or isopropanol, andconstitutes in absolute form.

In some embodiments, the aqueous vehicle is a phosphate bufferedsolution.

In some embodiments, the gelling agent is selected from the groupconsisting of polyacrylic acid, hydroxypropylcellulose and a cellulosederivative other than hydroxypropylcellulose.

In some embodiments, the hydroalcoholic composition further comprises aneutralizing agent, wherein said neutralizing agent is selected from thegroup consisting of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammoniumhydroxide, aminomethylpropanol, arginine, trolamine, and tromethamine,and wherein said neutralizing agent exists at a neutralizingagent/gelling agent ratio of about 1:1 to about 4:1.

In some embodiments, the invention provides methods of deliveringendoxifen, comprising: providing any of the above described compositionsand delivering the composition so as to expose the composition to acell.

In some embodiments, the cell is in vivo.

In some embodiments of the invention, the host is a mammal.

The present invention also provides methods of inhibitinghormone-dependent breast carcinoma in a mammal comprising administeringany of the above compositions to the mammal.

The present invention further provides methods of inhibiting a cancer ina mammal, said cancer including, but not limited to, lung cancer, coloncancer, breast cancer, leukemia, renal cancer, melanoma, cancer or thecentral nervous system, and prostate cancer in a mammal; the methodcomprising administering any of the above compositions to said mammal(e.g., a human).

The present invention further provides compositions comprising atherapeutically active amount of a complex comprising endoxifen and atleast one lipid, wherein said endoxifen is a free base or is in the formof a salt.

In some embodiments, the composition comprising endoxifen is formulatedin a hydroalcoholic gel, a hydroalcoholic solution, a patch, a cream, anemulsion, a lotion, an ointment, a powder or an oil.

In some embodiments, the composition comprising endoxifen is formulatedin a hydroalcoholic composition containing a penetration enhancer, anaqueous vehicle, an alcoholic vehicle and a gelling agent.

In some embodiments, the hydroalcoholic composition comprises aneutralizing agent.

In some embodiments, the hydroalcoholic composition comprises endoxifenat about 0.01% to 0.20% by weight; isopropyl myristate at about 0.1% to2.0%, preferably 0.5% to 2.0% by weight; alcohol at about 50.0% to80.0%, preferably about 60.0% to 75.0% by weight; aqueous vehicle atabout 20.0% to 60.0%, preferably 25.0% to 50.0% by weight; and gellingagent at about 1.0% to 10.0%, preferably about 0.5% to 5.0% by weight.In some embodiments, the wherein the percentage of components is weightto weight of the composition.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of treatingor preventing a condition in a subject (e.g., cancer, or a psychiatricor neurodegenerative condition) comprising administering apharmaceutical preparation comprising a therapeutically effective amountof endoxifen.

Use of endoxifen compositions for psychiatric and neurodegenerativetherapy is not limited to a particular disease or route ofadministration. In some preferred embodiments, the invention providesmethods and compositions for treating bipolar disorder, while in otherembodiments, the invention provides methods and compositions fortreating multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, Alzheimers' disease,Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateralsclerosis, and epilepsy.

In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical preparation of the presentinvention further comprises a second therapeutic agent. In somepreferred embodiments, the second therapeutic is a known therapeuticagent for treatment of the condition. For example, in some embodiments,the second therapeutic agent is a known therapeutic for the treatment ofbipolar disorder, manic disorder, or depression, e.g., lithium, aselective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, a serotonin and norepinephrinereuptake inhibitor, a dopamine reuptake inhibitor, a tetracyclicantidepressant, a combined reuptake inhibitor, a receptor blocker,tricyclic antidepressant, and a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. In someembodiments, the known therapeutic for the treatment of a psychiatric orneurodegenerative condition is selected from the group consisting ofcitalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline,duloxetine, venlafaxine, bupropion, mirtazapine, trazodone, tefazodone,maprotiline, amitriptyline, amoxapine, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine,nortriptyline, protriptyline, trimipramine, phenelzine, tranylcypromine,isocarboxazid, and selegilin.

In some embodiments in which a second therapeutic is co-administeredwith a composition comprising endoxifen, the second therapeutic is aknown therapeutic agent for treatment of anxiety, such as abenzodiazepine, a beta-blocker, and a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic. Insome preferred embodiments, the therapeutic for the treatment of anxietyis selected from the group consisting of diazepam, nitrazepam,alprazolam, bromazepam, chlordiazepoxide, chlorazepate, lorazepam,oxazepam, flunitrazepam, flurazepam, loprazolam, lormetazepam, andtemazepam, buspirone, meprobamate, zalepon, zolpidem, zopiclone, chloralhydrate, triclofos, clomethizole, and meprobamate.

Particular embodiments of the invention are described in this Summary,and below, in the Detailed Descriptions of the Invention. The presentinvention is not limited to the compositions and methods describedabove. Although the invention has been described in connection withspecific embodiments, it should be understood that the invention asclaimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments, andthat variations of the compositions and methods described herein, orthat are understood by a skilled artisan in view of the presentdisclosure, are included within the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 diagrams compound I.

FIG. 2 diagrams embodiments for synthesis of compounds 3, 5, and I.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of metabolism of tamoxifen intoendoxifen (4-hydroxy-N-desmethyl tamoxifen).

FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a PKC pathway.

FIG. 5 shows a graph comparing inhibition of PKC activity by endoxifenand tamoxifen.

DEFINITIONS

As used herein, the terms “host,” “subject” and “patient” refer to anyanimal, including but not limited to, human and non-human animals (e.g.,dogs, cats, cows, horses, sheep, poultry, fish, crustaceans, etc.) thatis studied, analyzed, tested, diagnosed or treated. As used herein, theterms “host,” “subject” and “patient” are used interchangeably, unlessindicated otherwise.

As used herein, the terms “subject at risk of cancer” refers to asubject identified as being at risk for developing cancer, e.g., byprior health history, genetic data, etc.

As used herein, the term “anticancer drug” refers to an agent used totreat or prevent cancer. Such agents include, but are not limited to,small molecules, drugs, antibodies, pharmaceuticals, and the like.

As used herein, the terms “subject having depression” or “subjectdisplaying signs or symptoms or pathology indicative of depression” or“subjects suspected of displaying signs or symptoms or pathologyindicative of depression” refer to a subject that is identified ashaving or likely to have depression based on known depression signs,symptoms and pathology.

As used herein, the terms “subject at risk of displaying pathologyindicative of depression” and “subject at risk of depression” refer to asubject identified as being at risk for developing depression.

As used herein, the terms “subject having bipolar disorder” or “subjectdisplaying signs or symptoms or pathology indicative of bipolardisorder” or “subjects suspected of displaying signs or symptoms orpathology indicative of bipolar disorder” refer to a subject that isidentified as having or likely to have bipolar disorder based on knowndepression signs, symptoms and pathology.

As used herein, the terms “subject at risk of displaying pathologyindicative of bipolar disorder” and “subject at risk of bipolardisorder” refer to a subject identified as being at risk for developingbipolar disorder.

As used herein, the term “antidepressant” refers to an agent used totreat or prevent depression. Such agents include, but are not limitedto, small molecules, drugs, antibodies, pharmaceuticals, and the like.

As used herein, “anxiolytic” refers to an agent used to treat or preventanxiety.

Such agents include, but are not limited to, small molecules, drugs,antibodies, pharmaceuticals, and the like.

As used herein, the terms “subject having anxiety” or “subjectdisplaying signs or symptoms or pathology indicative of anxiety” or“subjects suspected of displaying signs or symptoms or pathologyindicative of anxiety” refer to a subject that is identified as havingor likely to have anxiety based on known anxiety signs, symptoms andpathology.

As used herein, the terms “subject at risk of displaying pathologyindicative of anxiety” and “subject at risk of anxiety” refer to asubject identified as being at risk for developing anxiety.

As used herein, the term “cognitive function” generally refers to theability to think, reason, concentrate, or remember. Accordingly, theterm “decline in cognitive function” refers to the deterioration of lackof ability to think, reason, concentrate, or remember.

As used herein, the term “effective amount” refers to the amount of anactive composition (e.g., a pharmaceutical compound or compositionprovided as a component in a lipid or other formulation) sufficient toproduce a selected effect, e.g., to effect beneficial or desiredresults. For example, an effective amount of a PKC inhibitor is anamount of the inhibitor sufficient to reduce PKC activity, asdetermined, e.g., by observation of an in vivo effect associated withreduced PKC activity, or by use of an in vitro assay. An effectiveamount can be administered in one or more administrations, applicationsor dosages and is not intended to be limited to a particular formulationor administration route.

As used herein, the terms “active” or “pharmaceutically active” as usedin reference to an agent, drug, composition, or compound, refers to anagent that, upon administration or application, causes a beneficial,desired, or expected result. The administration may be in one or moreadministrations, applications or dosages and is not intended to belimited to a particular formulation or administration route. The term isnot limited to any particular level of activity.

The terms “agent” and “compound” are used herein interchangeably torefer to any atom, molecule, mixture, or more complex composition havingan attributed feature. For example, an “active agent” or “activecompound” refers to any atom, molecule, preparation, mixture, etc.,that, upon administration or application, causes a beneficial, desired,or expected result.

As used herein, the term “treating” includes administering therapy toprevent, cure, or alleviate/prevent the symptoms associated with, aspecific disorder, disease, injury or condition.

As used herein, the term “treatment” or grammatical equivalentsencompasses the improvement and/or reversal of the symptoms of disease(e.g., cancer, bipolar disorder, Parkinson's disease, etc.), orreduction of risk of occurrence of disease. A compound which causes animprovement in any parameter associated with disease when used in thescreening methods of the instant invention may thereby be identified asa therapeutic compound. The term “treatment” refers to both therapeutictreatment and prophylactic or preventative measures. For example, thosewho may benefit from treatment with compositions and methods of thepresent invention include those already with a disease and/or disorder(e.g., cancer, psychiatric or neurodegenerative disease, or symptoms orpathologies consistent with these conditions) as well as those in whicha disease and/or disorder is to be prevented (e.g., using a prophylactictreatment of the present invention).

As used herein, the term “at risk for disease” refers to a subject(e.g., a human) that is predisposed to experiencing a particulardisease. This predisposition may be genetic (e.g., a particular genetictendency to experience the disease, such as heritable disorders), or dueto other factors (e.g., age, weight, environmental conditions, exposuresto detrimental compounds present in the environment, etc.). Thus, it isnot intended that the present invention be limited to any particularrisk, nor is it intended that the present invention be limited to anyparticular disease.

As used herein, the term “suffering from disease” refers to a subject(e.g., a human) that is experiencing a particular disease. It is notintended that the present invention be limited to any particular signsor symptoms, nor disease. Thus, it is intended that the presentinvention encompasses subjects that are experiencing any range ofdisease (e.g., from sub-clinical manifestation to full-blown disease)wherein the subject exhibits at least some of the indicia (e.g., signsand symptoms) associated with the particular disease.

As used herein, the terms “disease” and “pathological condition” areused interchangeably to describe a state, signs, and/or symptoms thatare associated with any impairment of the normal state of a livinganimal or of any of its organs or tissues that interrupts or modifiesthe performance of normal functions, and may be a response toenvironmental factors (such as emotional trauma, physical trauma,malnutrition, industrial hazards, or climate), to specific infectiveagents (such as worms, bacteria, or viruses), to inherent defect of theorganism (such as various genetic anomalies, or to combinations of theseand other factors.

As used herein, the term “administration” refers to the act of giving adrug, prodrug, or other active agent, or therapeutic treatment (e.g.,compositions of the present invention) to a physiological system (e.g.,a subject or in vivo, in vitro, or ex vivo cells, tissues, and organs).Exemplary routes of administration to the human body can be through theeyes (ophthalmic), mouth (oral), skin (transdermal), nose (nasal), lungs(inhalant), rectal, vaginal, oral mucosa (buccal), ear, by injection(e.g., intravenously, subcutaneously, intratumorally, intraperitoneally,etc.) and the like. Administration may be in one or moreadministrations, applications or dosages, and is not intended to belimited to a particular administration route.

As used herein, the term “co-administration” refers to theadministration of at least two agent(s) (e.g., two separate lipidcompositions, containing different active compounds) or therapies to asubject. For example, in some embodiments, endoxifen may beco-administered with a second therapeutic, e.g., a known therapeutic forthe treatment of a disease or condition, e.g., depression. In someembodiments, the co-administration of two or more agents or therapies isconcurrent. In other embodiments, a first agent/therapy is administeredprior to a second agent/therapy. Those of skill in the art understandthat the formulations and/or routes of administration of the variousagents or therapies used may vary. The appropriate dosage forco-administration can be readily determined by one skilled in the art.In some embodiments, when agents or therapies are co-administered, therespective agents or therapies are administered at lower dosages thanappropriate for their administration alone. Thus, co-administration isespecially desirable in embodiments where the co-administration of theagents or therapies lowers the requisite dosage of a potentially harmful(e.g., toxic) agent(s).

A “known therapeutic” compound or agent includes a therapeutic compoundthat has been shown (e.g., through animal trials or prior experiencewith administration to humans) to have a particular therapeutic effectin a treatment. However, a known therapeutic compound is not limited toa compound having a particular level of effectiveness in the treatmentor prevention of a disease (e.g., bipolar disorder, depression oranxiety). Examples of known bipolar disorder therapeutic agents includebut are not limited to lithium, including salts available under thegeneric names of lithium carbonate and lithium citrate (e.g., ESKALITH,LITHOBID, LITHANE, LITHONATE, LITHOTABS, CIBALITH-S), andanticonvulsants such as valproate or valproic acid (DEPAKOTE),lamotrigine (LAMICTAL), carbamazepine (TEGRETOL), and oxcarbazepine(TRILEPTAL). Examples of other compounds also finding use in combinationwith endoxifen in the methods of the invention include gabapentin(NEUROTONIN) and topiramate (TOPAMAX). Known antidepressant therapeuticagents that find use include, but are not limited to, selectiveserotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs, e.g., citalopram (CELEXA),escitalopram (LEXAPRO), fluoxetine (PROZAC, PROZAC WEEKLY), paroxetine(PAXIL, PAXIL CR) and sertraline (ZOLOFT); serotonin and norepinephrinereuptake inhibitors (SNRIs, e.g., duloxetine (CYMBALTA) and venlafaxine(EFFEXOR, EFFEXOR XR); norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors(NDRIs, e.g., bupropion (WELLBUTRIN, WELLBUTRIN SR, WELLBUTRIN XL);tetracyclic antidepressants (e.g., mirtazapine (REMERON, REMERONSOLTAB); combined reuptake inhibitors and receptor blockers (e.g.,trazodone, tefazodone, maprotiline); tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs,e.g., amitriptyline, amoxapine, desipramine (NORPRAMIN), doxepin(SINEQUAN), imipramine (TOFRANIL), nortriptyline (PAMELOR),protriptyline (VIVACTIL), trimipramine (SURMONTIL)); monoamine oxidaseinhibitors (MAOIs, e.g., phenelzine (NARDIL), tranylcypromine (PARNATE),isocarboxazid (MARPLAN), and selegiline (EMSAM)). Examples of knownanxiolytic therapeutic agents include, but are not limited,benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam (VALIUM), nitrazepam (MOGADON),alprazolam (XANAX), bromazepam (LEXOTAN), chlordiazepoxide (LIBRIUM),chlorazepate (TRANXENE), lorazepam (ATIVAN), oxazepam, flunitrazepam(ROHYPNOL), flurazepam (DALMANE), loprazolam, lormetazepam, andtemazepam); non-benzodiazepine agents (e.g., buspirone (BUSPAR),beta-blockers, and meprobamate (EQUAGESIC)); and non-benzodiazepinehypnotics (e.g., zalepon (SONATA), zolpidem (STILLNOCT), zopiclone(ZIMOVANE), chloral hydrate, triclofos, and clomethizole, aripiprazole(ABILIFY), quetiapine fumarate (SEROQUEL), olanzapine (ZYPREXA),ziprasidone (GEODON), etc.

As used herein, the term “toxic” refers to any detrimental or harmfuleffects on a subject, a cell, or a tissue as compared to the same cellor tissue prior to the administration of the toxicant.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically purified” refers to acomposition of sufficient purity or quality of preparation forpharmaceutical use.

As used herein, the term “purified” refers to a treatment of a startingcomposition to remove at least one other component (e.g., anothercomponent from a starting composition (e.g., plant or animal tissue, anenvironmental sample etc.), a contaminant, a synthesis precursor, or abyproduct, etc.), such that the ratio of the purified component to theremoved component is greater than in the starting composition.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutical composition” refers to thecombination of an active agent (e.g., an active pharmaceutical compound)with a carrier, inert or active (e.g., a phospholipid), making thecomposition especially suitable for diagnostic or therapeutic use invitro, in vivo or ex vivo.

The terms “pharmaceutically acceptable” or “pharmacologicallyacceptable,” as used herein, refer to compositions that do notsubstantially produce adverse reactions, e.g., toxic, allergic, orimmunological reactions, when administered to a subject.

As used herein, the term “topically” refers to application of thecompositions of the present invention to the surface of the skin andmucosal cells and tissues (e.g., alveolar, buccal, lingual, masticatory,or nasal mucosa, and other tissues and cells which line hollow organs orbody cavities).

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” refers toany of the standard pharmaceutical carriers including, but not limitedto, phosphate buffered saline solution, water, emulsions (e.g., such asan oil/water or water/oil emulsions), and various types of wettingagents, any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, sodium laurylsulfate, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, disintigrants (e.g.,potato starch or sodium starch glycolate), and the like. Thecompositions also can include stabilizers and preservatives. Forexamples of carriers, stabilizers, and adjuvants. (See e.g., Martin,Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 15th Ed., Mack Publ. Co., Easton,Pa. (1975), incorporated herein by reference). Moreover, in certainembodiments, the compositions of the present invention may be formulatedfor horticultural or agricultural use. Such formulations include dips,sprays, seed dressings, stem injections, sprays, and mists.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” refers toany salt (e.g., obtained by reaction with an acid or a base) of acompound of the present invention that is physiologically tolerated inthe target subject (e.g., a mammalian subject, and/or in vivo or exvivo, cells, tissues, or organs). “Salts” of the compounds of thepresent invention may be derived from inorganic or organic acids andbases. Examples of acids include, but are not limited to, hydrochloric,hydrobromic, sulfuric, nitric, perchloric, fumaric, maleic, phosphoric,glycolic, lactic, salicylic, succinic, toluene-p-sulfonic, tartaric,acetic, citric, methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, formic, benzoic,malonic, sulfonic, naphthalene-2-sulfonic, benzenesulfonic acid, and thelike. Other acids, such as oxalic, while not in themselvespharmaceutically acceptable, may be employed in the preparation of saltsuseful as intermediates in obtaining the compounds of the invention andtheir pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts.

Examples of bases include, but are not limited to, alkali metal (e.g.,sodium) hydroxides, alkaline earth metal (e.g., magnesium) hydroxides,ammonia, and compounds of formula NW₄ ⁺, wherein W is C₁₋₄ alkyl, andthe like.

Examples of salts include, but are not limited to: acetate, adipate,alginate, aspartate, benzoate, benzenesulfonate, bisulfate, butyrate,citrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, cyclopentanepropionate,digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, fumarate, flucoheptanoate,glycerophosphate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, chloride, bromide,iodide, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonate, lactate, maleate, methanesulfonate,2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, oxalate, palmoate, pectinate,persulfate, phenylpropionate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, succinate,tartrate, thiocyanate, tosylate, undecanoate, and the like. Otherexamples of salts include anions of the compounds of the presentinvention compounded with a suitable cation such as Na⁺, NH₄ ⁺, and NW₄⁺ (wherein W is a C₁₋₄ alkyl group), and the like. For therapeutic use,salts of the compounds of the present invention are contemplated asbeing pharmaceutically acceptable. However, salts of acids and basesthat are non-pharmaceutically acceptable may also find use, for example,in the preparation or purification of a pharmaceutically acceptablecompound.

For therapeutic use, salts of the compounds of the present invention arecontemplated as being pharmaceutically acceptable. However, salts ofacids and bases that are non-pharmaceutically acceptable may also finduse, for example, in the preparation or purification of apharmaceutically acceptable compound.

As used herein, the term “hydroalcoholic” as used in reference to asubstance or composition indicates that said substance or compositioncomprises both water and alcohol.

As used herein, the term “gelling agent” refers to a composition that,when dissolved, suspended or dispersed in a fluid (e.g., an aqueousfluid such as water or a buffer solution), forms a gelatinous semi-solid(e.g., a lubricant gel). Examples of gelling agents include but are notlimited to hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl cellulose,hydroxypropyl guar, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, carbomer, alginate, gelatin,and poloxamer.

As used herein, the term “dried” as used in reference to a compositionrefers to removing the solvent component or components to levels that nolonger support chemical reactions. The term is also used in reference toa composition that has been dried (e.g., a dried preparation or driedcomposition). Those of skill in the art will appreciate that acomposition may be “dried” while still having residual solvent ormoisture content after, e.g., lyophilization, or that a driedcomposition may, after the end of a drying process, absorb moisturehygroscopically, e.g., from the atmosphere. The term “dried” encompassesa composition with increased moisture content due to hygroscopicabsorption.

As used herein, the term “protective agent” refers to a composition orcompound that protects the activity or integrity of an active agent(e.g., an anticancer drug or a psychiatric or neurodegenerative diseasedrug) when the active agent is exposed to certain conditions (e.g.,drying, freezing). In some embodiments, a protective agent protects anactive agent during a freezing process (i.e., it is a “cryoprotectant”).Examples of protective agents include but are not limited to non-fatmilk solids, trehalose, glycerol, betaine, sucrose, glucose, lactose,dextran, polyethylene glycol, sorbitol, mannitol, poly vinyl propylene,potassium glutamate, monosodium glutamate, Tween 20 detergent, Tween 80detergent, and an amino acid hydrochloride.

As used herein, the term “excipient” refers to an inactive ingredient(i.e., not pharmaceutically active) added to a preparation of an activeingredient. The gelling and protective agents described herein may bereferred to generally as “excipients.”

As used herein, the term “kit” refers to any delivery system fordelivering materials. In the context of kinase activity or inhibitionassays, such delivery systems include systems that allow for thestorage, transport, or delivery of reaction reagents and/or supportingmaterials (e.g., buffers, written instructions for performing the assayetc.) from one location to another. For example, kits include one ormore enclosures (e.g., boxes) containing the relevant reaction reagentsand/or supporting materials. As used herein, the term “fragmented kit”refers to delivery systems comprising two or more separate containersthat each contains a subportion of the total kit components. Thecontainers may be delivered to the intended recipient together orseparately. For example, a first container may contain an agent for usein an assay, while a second container contains standards for comparisonto test compounds. The term “fragmented kit” is intended to encompasskits containing Analyte Specific Reagents (ASR's) regulated undersection 520(e) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, but are notlimited thereto. Indeed, any delivery system comprising two or moreseparate containers that each contains a subportion of the total kitcomponents are included in the term “fragmented kit.” In contrast, a“combined kit” refers to a delivery system containing all of thecomponents of a reaction assay in a single container (e.g., in a singlebox housing each of the desired components). The term “kit” includesboth fragmented and combined kits.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides medical uses for compositions containingendoxifen. This invention further relates to endoxifen and compositionscomprising endoxifen in the treatment of psychiatric andneurodegenerative diseases. In particular, the present invention relatesto the use of compositions comprising endoxifen in the treatment ofbipolar disease, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimerdisease, Parkinson disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateralsclerosis (ALS), and epilepsy. The invention still further relates tomethods of preparing endoxifen and use of endoxifen prepared byinventive method in the treatment of human and animal diseases.

Endoxifen is generated via CYP3A4-mediated N-demethylation and CYP2D6mediated hydroxylation of tamoxifen (see, e.g., FIG. 3). As is discussedabove, it is well known that co-administration of tamoxifen with drugsthat inhibit paroxetine decreases the plasma concentration of endoxifen(5). In addition, any drug that can be substrate of CYP3A4 or CYP2D6(e.g., SSRIs), even if not an inhibitor of theses drug metabolizingenzymes, can decrease the serum level of endoxifen (5) and thus reducethe therapeutic benefits of tamoxifen. It is therefore advised that, toavoid such drug-drug interactions, one should not give them together.

Recently, endoxifen has been shown to be anti-estrogenic in breastcancer cells and to be more potent than tamoxifen. In patients treatedwith tamoxifen, endoxifen is present in higher concentration (12.4ng/mL) than 4-OH-tamoxifen (1 ng/mL) in the human plasma. The majorityof genes affected by endoxifen are estrogen-regulated genes (15, 16).Use of endoxifen e.g., in place of tamoxifen, avoids several metabolicsteps that rely on CYP2D6.

We have found that endoxifen inhibits PKC and thus finds use in thetreatment of psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases, e.g. in thetreatment of bipolar disorder. While not limiting the invention to anyparticular mode or mechanism of action, the effects observed areconsistent with the observation that lithium and valproate, the mostcommonly used treatments for bipolar disorder, are known to provide thetherapeutic effect via attenuation of PKC activity.

Use of Endoxifen in Psychiatric and Neurodegenerative Diseases

ENDOXIFEN (4-hydroxy N-desmethyl tamoxifen) is an active metabolite ofthe marketed drug tamoxifen for the treatment of breast cancer.Tamoxifen is extensively metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymesCYP3A4 and CYP2D6 into active metabolites including 4-hydroxy tamoxifenand 4-hydroxy-N-desmethyl tamoxifen (endoxifen) (FIG. 1). We hypothesizethat endoxifen will have beneficial effect in Bipolar disorder,Schizophrenia and neuroprotective role in Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinsondisease, Alzheimer disease, Huntington disease, Amyotrophic LateralSclerosis, and Epilepsy. The use of endoxifen as a therapeutic agent forpsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases will have a significantadvantage over the mother compound tamoxifen which requires metabolicactivation by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes whose actions are variablebecause of genetic polymorphism and inhibition via drug-druginteraction.

Psychiatric Diseases Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental illness that is associated with asubstantial risk of suicide among those affected (8). Lithium andvalproate are widely used as mood stabilizers in bipolar disorder,however, a substantial minority of patients fails to respond, or respondonly partially, to these agents (8). Therefore, the development of noveltherapeutic agents with a quicker, more potent, and more specificmode(s) of action with fewer side effects are required.

While precise mechanisms of the disease pathophysiology is not clear,role of Protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathways has also beenimplicated in bipolar disorder (17). PKC plays a major role inregulating both pre and postsynaptic neurotransmission. Thus, it islikely that variation in PKC activity causing cellular signaling changesin the brain results in mood swing, such as variation in motor,cognitive and psychological behavior. Animal studies data suggest thatexcessive PKC activation can disrupt regulation of behavior, possiblycontributing to such dysfunctions as distractibility, impaired judgment,impulsivity, and disorganized thought disorder, all of which arecharacteristic of patients with bipolar disorder (9, 17). Thesepreclinical findings strongly suggest that PKC signaling in the brainrepresents a highly plausible target for mood-stabilizing drugs (17).Most widely used mood stabilizers such as lithium and valproate are alsoknown to impart pharmacotherapeutic action via alleviation of PKCactivity either directly or through their action on PKC substrateMyristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) (17) (FIG. 4).

Tamoxifen is the only compound with documented and appreciable centralnervous system (CNS) PKC inhibitory activity that can be administeredperipherally and has been approved for human. In a recent study in rats,tamoxifen attenuated amphetamine-induced manic behavior (9). Theseresults support the possibility that PKC signaling may play an importantrole in the pathophysiology and treatment of bipolar disorder. Thesefindings have direct clinical implications as they offer a new avenuefor attempts to develop more specific drugs for the disorder. Apreliminary double-blind, controlled clinical trial showed greaterantimanic effects with tamoxifen than with placebo (18). More recentlytwo groups have convincingly confirmed in double-blind, placebocontrolled studies that PKC inhibitor tamoxifen demonstrated antimanicproperties and was well tolerated (10, 11). These findings encouragedevelopment of tamoxifen and its metabolites, such as endoxifen aspotential antimanic or mood-stabilizing agents.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mental illness characterized by episodic symptomssuch as delusions, hallucinations, paranoia and psychosis and mayinclude persistent symptoms such as flattened affect, impairedattention, social withdrawal and cognitive impairment (19).Epidemiologic and clinical evidence suggests an influence of estrogenson incidence and enormity of schizophrenia. Although early studiessuggested the incidence of schizophrenia in men and women was aboutequal more recent studies indicate incidence rates are higher in men(20).

Estrogen acts as a protective factor in women; the age of onset ofschizophrenia is significantly later in women than in men, with a secondpeak of onset larger and later in women after 40-45 years of age.Furthermore, levels of psychopathology fluctuate with phases of themenstrual cycle (21). In women with schizophrenia, relapse rates arehigher when estrogen levels are low during the menstrual cycle, whereasrelapse is low when estrogen levels are high (22). Higher rates ofrelapse in women with schizophrenia are also observed during thepostpartum period (low estrogens), whereas relapse is low duringpregnancy (high estrogens). On the other hand, men with schizophreniahave an earlier age of onset, are admitted to hospital earlier anddemonstrate a more typical picture and poorer prognosis than women.

Evidence supporting the psychotherapeutic effects of exogenous estrogenin schizophrenia has emerged through the findings of three,double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trials exploring hormonemodulation in premenopausal woman with schizophrenia, who receivedadjunctive transdermal estradiol, in postmenopausal women withschizophrenia on adjunctive raloxifene, a SERM, and in women withschizoaffective disorder, in the manic phase, who received tamoxifen(12). The results showed that adjunctive estradiol was associated withan improvement in symptoms of psychosis in a premenopausal woman withschizophrenia; adjunctive raloxifene was associated with an improvementin cognitive functioning in a postmenopausal woman with schizophrenia;and adjunctive tamoxifen was associated with an improvement in symptomsof mania in a woman with schizoaffective disorder. These findingssuggest that adjunctive hormone modulation with SERMs such as tamoxifenis a promising area of gender-specific treatment for schizophrenia.

Neurodegenerative Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the CNS in which theimmune system mounts an inappropriate response to components of myelin,such as myelin basic protein or proteolipid protein. It is characterizedby inflammation of the CNS and myelin damage. Autoreactive CD4⁺T-helper-1 (Th1) cells and their products (for example, tumor necrosisfactor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and metalloproteinases) mediatemuch of the immunopathology, resulting in the destruction of the myelinsheath and subsequent neurological dysfunction (23).

Like other autoimmune diseases, the incidence of MS is higher (2 to 3times) in females compared with males (24) attributing this to hormonalinfluences. The disease modulating effects of estrogens in MS have beendescribed extensively (25). In both MS patients and animal diseasemodels the protective effects of estrogens have been well documented.These findings suggest that the protective effect on the disease processmay be due, at least in part, to modulation of the immune response byestrogens. However, the risks and side effects associated with steroidalestrogens may limit their usefulness for long-term MS therapy.

Selective estrogen receptor modulators could provide an alternativetherapeutic strategy, because they behave as estrogen agonists in sometissues, but are either inert or behave like estrogen antagonists inother tissues (26). For example, raloxifene, a SERM that is approved forthe treatment of osteoporosis, behaves as an estrogen in bone, whereasit acts as an estrogen antagonist in breast tissue and in the uterus(27). In a more recent study, the ability of tamoxifen and raloxifene toregulate myelin specific immunity and EAE in mice was investigated. Bothtamoxifen and raloxifene suppressed myelin antigen specific T-cellproliferation. However, tamoxifen was more effective in this regard.These findings support the notion that tamoxifen or related SERMs arepotential agents that could be used in the treatment of inflammatoryautoimmune disorders of the CNS such as MS (28).

Alzheimer Disease

Alzheimer disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative disordersand the most common form of dementia in the elderly. Estrogen appearspossess a protective role in the prevention of Alzheimer disease. It mayexert several neuroprotective effects on the aging brain, includinginhibition of β-amyloid plaque formation, stimulation of cholinergicactivity, reduction of oxidative stress-related cell damage, andprotection against vascular risk. Post-menopausal hormone replacementtherapy reduces the risk of developing dementia by approximately 30%.Likewise, patients on raloxifene for osteoporosis had a 33% reduction inrisk of mild cognitive impairment and half the relative risk ofdeveloping Alzheimer disease, suggesting SERMs' role in prevention ofage-related neurodegenerative disorders (29). Investigation of tamoxifen(and its metabolite, 4-hydroxytamoxifen) in an in vitro neuronal modelsystem suggests that this agent could act as a partial agonist in thebrain to provide some neuroprotective benefit after the menopause (14).

Parkinson Disease

Parkinson disease (PD) is another common degenerative disordercharacterized by selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in thesubstantia nigra of the midbrain leading to depletion of dopamine (30).Normal dopamine transmission can be restored by the administration ofpharmacological agents, levodopa or dopamine agonists. After prolongedadministration, adverse motor complications eventually appear includingmotor fluctuations and dyskinesias. Protein kinase C may accelerate theonset of levodopa-associated motor changes (31). Tamoxifen could act asa PKC antagonist and in rats and non-human primates reverses theshortening of beneficial response of chronic levodopa therapy (32).Similarly, tamoxifen co-administered with levodopa to Parkinsonianmonkeys significantly attenuated levodopa-induced dyskinesias by 61%(32).

In addition to its action via PKC, tamoxifen has multiple metaboliceffects including a neuroprotective function (33). Tamoxifen has alsobeen shown to stimulate dopamine release. Overall, this evidencesuggests that tamoxifen may have a role in inhibiting the unwanted motordisorders seen with chronic levodopa administration in PD and possiblyhave a role in chemoprevention of neurodegenerative disorders.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for deliveringendoxifen of Formula I, e.g., to a mammalian host. In some embodimentsof the present invention endoxifen is an E-isomer, while in otherembodiments, it is a Z-isomer, while it is still in other embodiments,it is a mixture of E- and Z-isomers

An example of the present invention includes endoxifen, analogues ofendoxifen, and derivatives of endoxifen, including but not limited toendoxifen, tamoxifen, and 4-hydroxytamoxifen. The present invention alsofind use with other antineoplastic agents such as paclitaxel, docetaxel,melphalan, chlormethine, extramustinephosphate, uramustine, ifosfamide,mannomustine, trifosfamide, streptozotocin, mitobronitol, mitoxantrone,methotrexate, fluorouracil, cytarabine, tegafur, idoxide, taxol,paclitaxel, daunomycin, daunorubicin, bleomycin, amphotericin,carboplatin, cisplatin, BCNU, vincristine, camptothecin, SN-38,doxorubicin, and etopside. Also included are steroidal and non-steroidalinhibitors used in cancer treatment, such as bicautamide, exemestane,formestane, letrozole, anastrazole and their analogues.

Endoxifen of Formula I can be prepared by any desired method for use inthe treatments of the present invention but, in some embodiments, thepresent invention provides particular methods for the preparation ofendoxifen. One preferred method of the present invention is set forth inFIG. 2. In this method, 4-bromophenol 1 is reacted with 3,4-dihydropyran2 in the present of acid (e.g., sulfuric acid and the like), to givecompound 3. Compound 3 is then reacted with magnesium turning in asuitable anhydrous solvent (e.g., tetrahydrofuran and the like). This isfollowed by reaction with 1-[4-(2-chloroethoxy)phenyl]-2-phenyl-1-butanone 4 to provide compound 5 which, ondehydration/deprotection in presence of acid in a suitable solvent(e.g., methanol and the like), produces compound 6. Reaction of yieldedcompound 6 with methylamine in a suitable solvent (e.g., isopropanol andthe like) provides endoxifen I.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a mixture of E- andZ-isomers of endoxifen can be separated to provide the purifiedpreparations of E- and Z-isomer of endoxifen. The separation of E- andZ-isomers of endoxifen in the present invention can be done, e.g., bycrystallization, or purification by liquid column chromatography (LC),or high pressure liquid column chromatography (HPLC).

Suitable solvents that can be employed in present invention for theseparation of E- and Z-isomers of endoxifen include but are not limitedto hexanes, heptanes, and the like, benzene; toluene; ethyl acetate;acetonitrile; chlorinating solvents such as methylene chloride,chloroform, 1,2-dichloromethane, and the like, ketones, (e.g., acetone,2-butanone, and the like), ethers such as diethyl ether, diisopropylether, methyl butyl ether, and tetrahydrofuran, alcohols such asmethanol, ethyl alcohol, and isopropyl alcohol, and the like, and water.A solvent for crystallization can be used as a single solvent, or asmixture of solvents such as hexane-ethyl acetate, chloroform-acetone,chloroform-methanol, dichloromethane-methanol, and the like. When amixture of two solvents is used in the present invention, examples ofratios of one solvent to another are e.g., in a range such as 9:1 to1:9, (e.g., 8:2, 7:3; 6:4; 5:5; 4:6; 3:7; 2:8; 1:9, and the like.)However, mixtures for use in the present invention are not limited tothese ratios, or to mixtures comprising only two solvents.

Solvents that find use in the preparation of endoxifen according to thepresent invention include but are not limited to tetrahydrofuran,dichloromethane, chloroform, 1,2-dichloroethane, acetonitrile,N,N′-dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, toluene, pyridine, methanol,ethanol, isopropanol, acetone, 2-butanone, hexane, heptane, pentane,ethyl acetate, and the like.

Acids that find use in the preparation of endoxifen according to thepresent invention include, but are not limited to, sulfuric acid,hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, trifluroacetic acid, phosphoric acid,p-toluenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, nitric acid, and the like.

Intermediates and final products of the present invention can bepurified by column chromatography using a single or a mixture of commonorganic solvents such as hexane pentane, heptane, ethyl acetate,methylene chloride, chloroform, methanol, acetone, and the like.

As noted above, intermediates and final product of the presentinvention, may, in some embodiments, be purified by crystallization.Solvents that find use in the crystallization of intermediates andproducts include but are not limited to hydrocarbons such as pentanes,hexanes, heptanes, and the like, benzene; toluene; ethyl acetate;acetonitrile; chlorinating solvents such as methylene chloride,chloroform, 1,2-dichloromethane, and the like; ketones, for example,acetone, 2-butanone, and the like; ethers such as diethyl ether,diisopropyl ether, methyl butyl ether, tetrahydrofuran; alcohols such asmethanol, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and the like. A solvent forcrystallization can be used as a single solvent or mixture of solvents.Exemplary mixtures include, e.g., hexane-ethyl acetate,chloroform-acetone, chloroform-methanol, dichloromethane-methanol, andthe like. When a mixture of two solvents is used in the presentinvention, examples of ratios of one solvent to another are e.g., in arange such as 9:1 to 1:9, (e.g., 8:2, 7:3; 6:4; 5:5; 4:6; 3:7; 2:8; 1:9,and the like.) However, mixtures for use in the present invention arenot limited to these ratios, or to mixtures comprising only twosolvents.

One object of the present invention is to provide E-endoxifen orZ-endoxifen with at least 80% purity, such as at least 90% pure or atleast 95% pure or at least 98% pure or at least 99% pure or at least100% pure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide solubilizedendoxifen in, e.g., aqueous acid. Suitable acids for solubilizingendoxifen include but are not limited to formic acid, acetic acid,propionic acid, butyric acid, trifuloroacetic acid, lactic acid,tartaric acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, and the like.The pH of the acidic solution comprising endoxifen can be adjusted withsuitable base or buffers. Examples of base and buffers include but arenot limited to sodium hydroxide, sodium acetate, sodium lactate, sodiumsuccinate, sodium monophosphate, sodium diphosphate, sodiumtriphosphate, sodium oxalate, sodium tartarate, ammonium hydroxide,ammonium acetate, and the like. In some embodiments, a co-solvent canalso be used to solubilize endoxifen. Examples of co-solvent include butare not limited to ethanol, isopropanol, detergents such as Tween 20 andPolysorbate, and the like

In certain preferred embodiments, the pH of a composition containingendoxifen according to the present invention are between about 4.0 andabout 8.0, and preferably between about 5.0 and about 8.0, and mostpreferably between about 5.5 and about 7.5.

In some embodiments, the present invention relates to compositions andmethods for delivery of endoxifen or endoxifen-lipid complexes to amammalian host. Any suitable amount of endoxifen can be used in complexformation. Suitable amounts of endoxifen are those amounts that can bestably incorporated into the complexes of the present invention.

In some embodiments, the inventive composition comprises a lipid complexwith endoxifen in which the complex desirably contains lipid or amixture of lipids. Complexes can be in the form, e.g., of micelles,vesicles or emulsions without exclusion of other forms. The micelles ofthe present invention can be in the form of monomeric, dimeric,polymeric or mixed micelles. The complexes including micelles andemulsions are predominately in the size range of 50 nm-20 micron,preferably in size range of 50 nm-5 micron. In the complexes, the activeagent can be bound to the lipid by covalent, hydrophobic, electrostatic,hydrogen, or other bonds, and is considered bound even where the drug issimply entrapped within the interior of lipid structures.

Endoxifen-lipid complexes may contain e.g., cholesterols or cholesterolderivatives or a mixture of cholesterol and cholesterol derivatives.Cholesterol derivatives that find use in the present invention includecholesteryl hemisuccinate, cholesteryl succinate, cholesteryl oleate,cholesteryl linoleate, cholesteryl eicosapentenoate, cholesteryllinolenate, cholesteryl arachidonate, cholesteryl palmitate, cholesterylstearate, cholesteryl myristate, polyethylene glycol derivatives ofcholesterol (cholesterol-PEG), water soluble cholesterol (for example,cholesterol methyl-β-cyclodextrin), coprostanol, cholestanol, orcholestane, cholic acid, cortisol, corticosterone or hydrocortisone and7-dehydrocholesterol.

In some preferred embodiments, the compositions also include α-, β-,γ-tocopherols, vitamin E, calciferol, organic acid derivatives of α-,β-, γ-tocopherols, such as α-tocopherol hemisuccinate (THS),α-tocopherol succinate and/or mixtures thereof.

In other some preferred embodiments, endoxifen-lipid complexes of thepresent invention contain sterols. Sterols that find use in the presentinvention include β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, stigmastanol, lanosterol,α-spinasterol, lathosterol, campesterol and/or mixtures thereof.

Compositions of the present invention also include endoxifen complexeswith free and/or salts or esters of fatty acid. Preferred fatty acidsrange from those with carbon chain lengths of about C₂ to C₃₄,preferably between about C₄ and about C₂₄, and include tetranoic acid(C_(4:0)), pentanoic acid (C_(5:0)), hexanoic acid (C_(6:0)), heptanoicacid (C_(7:0)), octanoic acid (C_(8:0)), nonanoic acid (C_(9:0)),decanoic acid (C_(10:0)), undecanoic acid (C_(11:0)), dodecanoic acid(C_(12:0)), tridecanoic acid (C_(13:0)), tetradecanoic (myristic) acid(C_(14:0)), pentadecanoic acid (C_(15:0)), hexadecanoic (palmatic) acid(C_(16:0)), heptadecanoic acid (C_(17:0)), octadecanoic (stearic) acid(C_(18:0)), nonadecanoic acid (C_(19:0)), eicosanoic (arachidic) acid(C_(20:0)), heneicosanoic acid (C_(21:0)), docosanoic (behenic) acid(C_(22:0)), tricosanoic acid (C_(23:0)), tetracosanoic acid (C_(24:0)),10-undecenoic acid (C_(11:1)), 11-dodecenoic acid (C_(12:1)),12-tridecenoic acid (C_(13:1)), myristoleic acid (C_(14:1)),10-pentadecenoic acid (C_(15:1)), palmitoleic acid (C_(16:1)), oleicacid (C_(18:1)), linoleic acid (C_(18:2)), linolenic acid (C_(18:3)),eicosenoic acid (C_(20:1)), eicosdienoic acid (C_(20:2)), eicosatrienoicacid (C_(20:3)), arachidonic acid (cis-5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid),and cis-5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid, among others. Other fattyacids also can be employed in the compositions. Examples of such includesaturated fatty acids such as ethanoic (or acetic) acid, propanoic (orpropionic) acid, butanoic (or butyric) acid, hexacosanoic (or cerotic)acid, octacosanoic (or montanic) acid, triacontanoic (or melissic) acid,dotriacontanoic (or lacceroic) acid, tetratriacontanoic (or gheddic)acid, pentatriacontanoic (or ceroplastic) acid, and the like;monoethenoic unsaturated fatty acids such as trans-2-butenoic (orcrotonic) acid, cis-2-butenoic (or isocrotonoic) acid, 2-hexenoic (orisohydrosorbic) acid, 4-decanoic (or obtusilic) acid, 9-decanoic (orcaproleic) acid, 4-dodecenoic (or linderic) acid, 5-dodecenoic (ordenticetic) acid, 9-dodecenoic (or lauroleic) acid, 4-tetradecenoic (ortsuzuic) acid, 5-tetradecenoic (or physeteric) acid, 6-octadecenoic (orpetroselenic) acid, trans-9-octadecenoic (or elaidic) acid,trans-11-octadecenoic (or vaccinic) acid, 9-eicosenoic (or gadoleic)acid, 11-eicosenoic (or gondoic) acid, 11-docosenoic (or cetoleic) acid,13-decosenoic (or erucic) acid, 15-tetracosenoic (or nervonic) acid,17-hexacosenoic (or ximenic) acid, 21-triacontenoic (or lumequeic) acid,and the like; dienoic unsaturated fatty acids such as 2,4-pentadienoic(or β-vinylacrylic) acid, 2,4-hexadienoic (or sorbic) acid,2,4-decadienoic (or stillingic) acid, 2,4-dodecadienoic acid,9,12-hexadecadienoic acid, cis-9, cis-12-octadecadienoic (or α-linoleic)acid, trans-9, trans-12-octadecadienoic (or linlolelaidic) acid,trans-10,trans-12-octadecadienoic acid, 11,14-eicosadienoic acid,13,16-docosadienoic acid, 17,20-hexacosadienoic acid and the like;trienoic unsaturated fatty acids such as 6,10,14-hexadecatrienoic (orhiragonic) acid, 7,10,13-hexadecatrienoic acid, cis-6,cis-9-cis-12-octadecatrienoic (or γ-linoleic) acid, trans-8,trans-10-trans-12-octadecatrienoic (or β-calendic) acid, cis-8,trans-10-cis-12-octadecatrienoic acid, cis-9,cis-12-cis-15-octadecatrienoic (or α-linolenic) acid, trans-9,trans-12-trans-15-octadecatrienoic (or α-linolenelaidic) acid, cis-9,trans-11-trans-13-octadecatrienoic (or α-eleostearic) acid, trans-9,trans-11-trans-13-octadecatrienoic (or β-eleostearic) acid, cis-9,trans-11-cis-13-octadecatrienoic (or punicic) acid,5,8,11-eicosatrienoic acid, 8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid and the like;tetraenoic unsaturated fatty acids such as 4,8,11,14-hexadecatetraenoicacid, 6,9,12,15-hexadecatetraenoic acid, 4,8,12,15-octadecatetraenoic(or moroctic) acid, 6,9,12,15-octadecatetraenoic acid,9,11,13,15-octadecatetraenoic (or α- or β-parinaric) acid,9,12,15,18-octadecatetraenoic acid, 4,8,12,16-eicosatetraenoic acid,6,10,14,18-eicosatetraenoic acid, 4,7,10,13-docasatetraenoic acid,7,10,13,16-docosatetraenoic acid, 8,12,16,19-docosatetraenoic acid andthe like; penta- and hexa-enoic unsaturated fatty acids such as4,8,12,15,18-eicosapentaenoic (or timnodonic) acid,4,7,10,13,16-docosapentaenoic acid, 4,8,12,15,19-docosapentaenoic (orclupanodonic) acid, 7,10,13,16,19-docosapentaenoic, 4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid, 4,8,12,15,18,21-tetracosahexaenoic (ornisinic) acid and the like; branched-chain fatty acids such as3-methylbutanoic (or isovaleric) acid, 8-methyldodecanoic acid,10-methylundecanoic (or isolauric) acid, 11-methyldodecanoic (orisoundecylic) acid, 12-methyltridecanoic (or isomyristic) acid,13-methyltetradecanoic (or isopentadecylic) acid, 14-methylpentadecanoic(or isopalmitic) acid, 15-methylhexadecanoic, 10-methylheptadecanoicacid, 16-methylheptadecanoic (or isostearic) acid, 18-methylnonadecanoic(or isoarachidic) acid, 20-methylheneicosanoic (or isobehenic) acid,22-methyltricosanoic (or isolignoceric) acid, 24-methylpentacosanoic (orisocerotic) acid, 26-methylheptacosanoic (or isomonatonic) acid,2,4,6-trimethyloctacosanoic (or mycoceranic or mycoserosic) acid,2-methyl-cis-2-butenoic(angelic)acid, 2-methyl-trans-2-butenoic (ortiglic) acid, 4-methyl-3-pentenoic (or pyroterebic) acid and the like.

In some preferred embodiments, endoxifen-lipid complexes containphospholipids. Any suitable phospholipids or mixture of phospholipidscan be used. For example, phospholipids can be obtained from naturalsources or chemically synthesized. Suitable phospholipids include butare not limited to phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol(PG), phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylcholine (PC),phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidic acid (PA), sphingomyelin and thelike, either used separately or in combination. Phosphatidylglycerolsmay be having short chain or long chain, saturated or unsaturated suchas dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol, dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol,distearoylphosphatidylglycerol, dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol,diarachidonoylphosphatidylglycerol, short chain phosphatidylglycerol(C₆₋C₈), and mixtures thereof. Examples of phosphatidylcholines includesdimyristoylphophatidylcholine, distearoylphosphatidylcholine,dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, dioleoylphosphatidylcholine,diarachidonoylphosphatidylcholine, egg phosphatidylcholine, soyphosphatidylcholine or hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine can be used,as can mixtures thereof.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides compositionscomprising endoxifen and derivatives of mono-, di- and tri-glycerides.Examples of the glycerides include 1-oleoyl-glycerol (monoolein) and 1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol.

Another aspect of the invention provides forming complexes of endoxifenwith functionalized phospholipids including but not limited tophosphatidylethanolamine, preferably dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine,phosphatidylthioethanol, N-biotinylphosphatidylethanolamine andphosphatidylethylene glycol.

Another aspect of the invention provides forming complexes of endoxifenwith carbohydrate-based lipids. Examples of carbohydrate-based lipidsinclude but are not limited to galactolipids, mannolipids,galactolecithin and the like.

In other preferred embodiment, endoxifen-lipid complexes comprisesterols. Sterols finding use in the present invention include but arenot limited to β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, stigmastanol, lanosterol,α-spinasterol, lathosterol, campesterol and/or mixtures thereof.

Another aspect of the invention provides forming complexes of endoxifenwith guggulipid and any suitable phospholipids. Guggulipid, or guggul,is a natural substance derived from the mukul myrrh tree. The mukulmyrrh gives off a sticky resin, which is processed to obtain guggulipid.This extract has been used for thousands of years in Aryuvedic medicineto treat arthritis and obesity. The guggulipid is a source of sterolcompounds such as Z- and E-guggulsterones, generally present in anamount of at least 2.5% (10). Z and E-Guggulsterones can be synthesizedchemically and thus can be used in drug formulations where the need isto have pure forms of these sterones. See, e.g., U.S. Application Ser.No. 60/856,952, filed Nov. 6, 2006, and PCT/US07/83832, filed Nov. 6,2007, both incorporated herein by reference.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides forming complexes ofendoxifen with derivatives of phospholipids such as pegylatedphospholipids. Examples of pegylated lipids finding use in the presentinvention include but are not limited to the polyethylene glycol(Pegylated, PEG) derivatives of distearoylphosphatidylglycerol,dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol, dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol and thelike.

In other aspects, the present invention provides compositions comprisingendoxifen and polyethyleneglycol (PEG) and one or more lipids.

According to yet other aspects, the present invention providescompositions comprising endoxifen complexes with one or more lipids.Examples include but are not limited to compositions comprisingendoxifen, cholesterol or cholesterol derivatives and one or morephospholipids. Other examples of compositions include endoxifen,β-sitosterol, and one or more phospholipids. In some preferredembodiments, compositions of the present invention comprise endoxifen,and hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine or soy phosphatidylcholine.

The term “Polyethylene glycol (PEG)” includes polymers of lower alkyleneoxide, in particular ethylene oxide (polyethylene glycols) having anesterifiable hydroxyl group at least at one end of the polymer molecule,as well as derivatives of such polymers having esterifiable carboxygroups. Polyethylene glycols of an average molecular weight ranging from200-20,000 are preferred; those having an average molecular weightranging from 500-2000 are particularly preferred.

Another aspect of the invention provides forming complexes of endoxifenwith carbohydrate-based lipids. Examples of carbohydrate-based lipidsinclude but are not limited to galactolipids, mannolipids,galactolecithin and the like.

In some embodiments of compositions of the invention, a complex isformed comprising endoxifen and preferably endoxifen in water at aconcentration of about 0.5 mg/mL to about 25 mg/mL, such as between 1mg/mL and about 20 mg/mL or between 1 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL, morepreferably between 1 mg/mL and 5 mg/mL.

In some embodiments, compositions of the present invention contain about2.5% to about 90% of total lipid, preferably about 2.5 to about 50%weight of total lipid or more, preferably about 10% to about 50% weightof total lipid.

In certain embodiments, compositions of the present invention preferablycontain endoxifen, and lipid(s) in mole ratio between 1:1 to 1:100 suchas in between 1:1 and 1:20 molar ratio or in between 1:1 and 1:30 molarratio or in between 1:1 and 1:40 molar ratio or in between 1:1 and 1:50molar ratio, in between 1:1 and 1:60 molar ratio, in between 1:1 and1:70 molar ratios, and in between 1:1 and 1:80 molar ratios, and 1:90molar ratios.

Ratios recited herein, e.g., mole ratios of components in a composition,are provided by way of example and do not limit the invention to theprecise incremental ratios recited, e.g., to whole number ratios of thecomponents in the composition. For example, a range of ratios of about1:10 to 1:90 encompasses not only 1:11, 1:25, 1:89, etc., but includes,without limitation, any ratio at or between about 1:10 to 1:90 (e.g.,1:53.637).

In certain embodiments, compositions of the present invention preferablycontain endoxifen and hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine, or soyphosphatidylcholine, and cholesterol or cholesterol derivative. Suchcomposition includes endoxifen and cholesterol or cholesterol derivativepreferably in from about 1:1-1:5 mole ratio, and more preferably atabout 1:1 mole ratio to about 1:2 mole ratio.

Yet another aspect of the invention is to form complexes of endoxifenwith derivatives of phospholipids, such as pegylated phospholipids.Examples include but are not limited to the polyethylene glycol (PEG)derivatives of distearoylphosphatidylglycerol,dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol, dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol and thelike.

In some preferred embodiments, the mole ratio of endoxifen andhydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine or soy phosphatidylcholine, in acomposition containing endoxifen and hydrogenated soyphosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylcholine is between about 1:10 and1:90, e.g., between about 1:10 and 1:80 or 1:10 and 1:70 or 1:10 and1:60 or 1:10 and 1:50 or 1:10 and 1:40 and 1:10 and 1:30. Particularlypreferred embodiments, the mole ratio of endoxifen and hydrogenated soyphosphatidylcholine or soy phosphatidylcholine is between 1:10 and 1:60.

In some embodiments, compositions of the present invention preferablycontain endoxifen and total lipids having weight to weight ratio between1:1 to 1:100 ratio such as between 1:1 and 1:20 ratio or between 1:1 and1:30 ratio or between 1:1 and 1:40 ratio or between 1:1 and 1:50 ratio,or between 1:1 and 1:60 ratio, or between 1:1 and 1:70 ratio, andbetween 1:1 and 1:80 ratio, or in between 1:1 and 1:90 ratio.

In some embodiments, the method of the present invention comprisessolubilizing or suspending endoxifen and lipid(s) together in an aqueoussolution, e.g., water. Endoxifen-lipid complex solution can be filteredthrough suitable filters to control the size distribution of thecomplexes.

In some embodiments, the method may comprise mixing lipid(s) together inwater and then adding endoxifen. Endoxifen-lipid complex solution can befiltered through suitable filters to control the size distribution ofthe complexes.

In some embodiments, the method also comprises mixing endoxifen andlipid(s) in an organic solvent(s), such as chloroform or ethanol or anyother pharmaceutically acceptable solvents, and evaporating thesolvent(s) to form a lipid phase or lipid film. The lipid phase is thenhydrated with water or an aqueous solution. Examples of aqueoussolutions include but are not limited to 0.9% sodium chloride, solutionscontaining sugars such as dextrose, sucrose, and the like. The hydratedsolution can be filtered through suitable filters to control the sizedistribution of the complexes.

In some embodiments, the method comprises mixing lipid(s) in an organicsolvent(s) and evaporating the solvent(s) to form a lipid phase or lipidfilm. The lipid phase is then hydrated with aqueous solution containingendoxifen. The aqueous solution in addition to endoxifen may furthercontain sodium chloride or sugars such as dextrose, sucrose and thelike. The hydrated solution can be filtered through suitable filters tocontrol the size distribution of the complexes.

In other embodiments, the method of the present invention comprisesmixing endoxifen, one or more lipids in any suitable order and in anysuitable solvents such that the resulting composition of the presentinvention contains endoxifen, and one or more lipids.

In some embodiments, the method of preparation of the present inventioncomprises heating the composition comprising endoxifen, and the lipid(s)at temperatures ranging from 30-100° C. preferably between 30-80° C. andmore preferably between 30-60° C.

In some embodiments, the pH of the composition of invention ranges fromabout 3 to about 11, while a pH between 3.5 to about 8 is preferred andpH of between 4.0 to pH 7.5 are particularly preferred. Aqueoussolutions having a particular pH can be prepared from water havingcomprising appropriate buffers. Preferred buffers include but are notlimited to mixtures of monobasic sodium phosphate and dibasic sodiumphosphate, tribasic sodium phosphate, disodium succinate. Other buffersthat find use with the present invention include sodium carbonate,sodium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, ammonium acetate, sodium citrate,tris (hydroxy-methyl) aminoethane, sodium benzoate, and the like.

The mole ratio of endoxifen and hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine orsoy phosphatidylcholine in the composition containing endoxifen andhydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine or soy phosphatidylcholine is inbetween 1:10 and 1:90 such as in between 1:10 and 1:80 or 1:10 and 1:80or 1:10 and 1:60 or 1:10 and 1:50 or 1:10 and 1:40 and 1:10 and 1:30. Inpreferred embodiments, the mole ratio of endoxifen and hydrogenated soyphosphatidylcholine or soy phosphatidylcholine is in between 1:5 and1:60.

As noted above, compositions can be filtered to obtain a desired sizerange of complexes particle sizes from the filtrate. Filters that finduse in the present invention include those that can be used to obtainthe desired size range of the complexes from the filtrate. For example,the complexes can be formed and thereafter filtered through a 5 micronfilter to obtain complexes, each particle having a diameter of about 5micron or less. Alternatively, 1 μm, 500 nm, 200 nm, 100 nm or otherfilters can be used to obtain complexes having diameters of about 1 μm,500 nm, 200 nm, 100 nm or any suitable size range, respectively.

When desired, the endoxifen-lipid complex can be dried, e.g., byevaporation or lyophilization. In certain embodiments of the invention,the endoxifen-lipid complex can be lyophilized with one or morecryoprotectants such as sugars. In preferred embodiments, sugars includebut are not limited to trehalose, maltose, lactose, sucrose, glucose,and dextran. In particularly preferred embodiments, trehalose and/orsucrose are used. Lyophilization is accomplished under vacuum and cantake place either with or without prior freezing of the endoxifen lipidpreparation. When desired, the complexes can be resuspended in anydesirable solvent including water, saline, dextrose and buffer.

Pharmaceutical preparations that find use with the compositions of thepresent invention include but are not limited to tablets, capsules,pills, dragees, suppositories, solutions, suspensions, emulsions,ointments, and gels. For the oral mode of administration, preferredforms of endoxifen or endoxifen lipid complex include tablets, capsules,lozenges, powders, syrups, aqueous solutions, suspensions and the like.For topical application and suppositories, preferred forms of endoxifenor endoxifen-lipid complex comprise gels, oils, and emulsions, such asare formed by the addition of suitable water-soluble or water-insolubleexcipients, for example polyethylene glycols, certain fats, and esters,compounds having a higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acids andderivatives thereof. Derivatives include mono-, di-, and triglyceridesand their aliphatic esters (for example, fish oils, vegetable oils etc.)or mixtures of these substances. Suitable excipients are those in whichthe drug complexes are sufficiently stable to allow for therapeutic use.

When desired, composition containing endoxifen or endoxifen-lipidcomplex can be encapsulated in enteric-coated capsules to protect itfrom acids in the stomach. The term “enteric” refers to the smallintestine, and enteric coatings prevent release of medication before itreaches the small intestine. Most enteric coatings work by presenting asurface that is stable at acidic pH but breaks down rapidly at higherpH. Enteric coating of capsules filled with composition containingendoxifen or endoxifen-lipid complex can be done as methods known in theart.

The endoxifen-lipid complex of the present invention can be of varyingsize or can be of substantially uniform size. For example, the complexcan have a mean diameter of about 1 mm or less, and more preferably arein the micron or sub-micron range. In some preferred embodiments, thecomplexes have an average diameter of about 5 μm or less, such as 0.2 μmor less or 0.1 μm or less.

The technology outlined in the present invention may also be used forany other water-insoluble drugs. The methods and compositions of thepresent invention find use in conjunction with the methods andcompositions disclosed in U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/850,446, filedOct. 10, 2006, PCT Application Ser. No. PCT/US07/80984, filed Oct. 10,2007, U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/856,952, filed Nov. 6, 2006, PCTApplication Ser. No. PCT/US07/83832, filed Nov. 6, 2007, all of whichare incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

The compositions of the present invention can be employed to treatbreast cancer and breast related diseases. For example, the compositionsof the present invention may be administered to a patient diagnosed withbenign breast disease. As used herein, the term “benign breast disease”refers to a constellation of non-malignant aberrations in breast tissue.The aberrations may be proliferative or non-proliferative in nature. Theexemplary benign breast diseases treatable by the present inventivecompositions include adenosis, cysts, duct ectasia, fibroadenoma,fibrosis, hyperplasia, metaplasia and other fibrocystic changes. Each ofthese diseases, referred as “changes” or “conditions” due to theirprevalence, have well-defined histological and clinical characteristics.

“Adenosis” refers to generalized glandular disease of the breast. Ittypically involves an enlargement of breast lobules, which contain moreglands than usual. In “sclerosing adenosis,” or “fibrosing adenosis,”the enlarged lobules are distorted by scar-like fibrous tissue.

“Cysts” are abnormal sacs filled with fluid or semi-solid material.Cysts in the breast arelined by breast epithelial cells, developing fromlobular structures. They begin as excess fluid inside breast glands, butmay grow to proportions that stretch surrounding breast tissue, causingpain. “Fibrocysts” are cystic lesions circumscribed by, or situatedwithin, a conspicuous amount of fibrous connective tissue.

“Duct ectasia” refers to a dilation of mammary ducts by lipid andcellular debris. Rupture of the ducts induces infiltration bygranulocytes and plasma cells.

“Fibroadenoma” refers to benign tumors that are derived from glandularepithelium and contain a conspicuous stroma of proliferating fibroblastsand connective tissue.

“Fibrosis” simply refers to a prominence of fibrous tissue in thebreast.

“Hyperplasia” refers to an overgrowth of cells, where several layers ofcells line the basal membrane, without tumor formation. Hyperplasiaincreases the bulk of mammary tissue. In “epithelial hyperplasia,” thecells lining breast ducts and lobules are involved, giving rise to theterms “ductal hyperplasia” and “lobular hyperplasia.” Based on ahistological determination, hyperplasia may be characterized as “usual”or “atypical”.

“Metaplasia” refers to a phenomenon in which a differentiated tissue ofone type transforms into a differentiated tissue of another type.Metaplasia often results from an environmental change, and enables cellsbetter to withstand the change.

The compositions of the present invention may be administered in anydosage form and via any system that delivers the active compoundendoxifen to breast estrogen receptors in vivo. In some embodiments, acomposition of present invention is delivered by “percutaneousadministration”, e.g., delivering the drug from the surface of patient'sskin, through the stratum corneum, epidermis, and dermis layers, andinto the microcirculations. This is generally accomplished by diffusiondown a concentration gradient. The diffusion may occur via intracellularpenetration (through the cells), intercellular penetration (between thecells), transappendageal penetration (through the hair follicles, sweat,and sebaceous glands), or any combination of the above.

Percutaneous administration of the endoxifen composition of the presentinvention may be advantageous because this may reduce systemic drugexposure and the risks from non-specifically activating estrogenreceptors throughout the body. This is because in topical application ofendoxifen will absorb primarily into local tissues. When the compositionof invention containing endoxifen will be percutaneously applied tobreasts, high concentration will accumulate in the breast tissuespresumably due to many estrogen receptors therein. The composition ofendoxifen may be applied to any skin surface, preferably to one or bothbreasts. The daily doses to be administered can initially be estimatedbased upon the absorption coefficients of endoxifen, the breast tissueconcentration that is desired, and the plasma concentration that shouldnot be exceeded. The initial dose may be optimized in each patient,depending on individual responses.

Percutaneous administration can be achieved in different ways, such as(i) by mixing the composition of endoxifen with suitable pharmaceuticalcarriers and, optionally, penetration enhancers to form ointments,emulsions, gel, lotion, creams or the like, where an amount of saidpreparation is applied onto a certain area of the skin, (ii) byincorporating the composition of endoxifen into patches or transdermaldelivery systems according to the technology known in the art.

The effectiveness of percutaneous drug administration depends on manyfactors, such as drug concentration, surface area of application, timeand duration of application, skin temperature, skin hydration, previousirradiation, physicochemical properties of the drug, and partitioning ofthe drug between the formulation and the skin. In some embodiments,e.g., to enhance percutaneous effectiveness, the compositions orcomplexes comprise penetration enhancers that improve percutaneousabsorption by reducing the resistance of stratum corneum by reversiblyaltering its physicochemical properties, changing hydration in thestratum corneum, acting as co-solvent, or changing the organization oflipids or proteins in the intracellular spaces. Such enhancers includebut are not limited to organic solvents such as alcohol, acetone,dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), polyethylene glycol, propoylene glycol, fattyacids and fatty alcohol and their derivatives, hydroxyl acids,pyrrolidones, urea, vegetable oils, essential oils, and mixture thereof.In addition to chemical enhancers, physical methods can increasepercutaneous absorption. For example, occlusive bandages inducehydration of the skin. Other physical methods include iontophoresis andsonophoresis, which use electrical fields and high-frequency ultrasound,respectively, to enhance absorption of drugs that are poorly absorbeddue to their size and ionic characteristics (12-13). Those who are inthe pharmaceutical field can easily manipulate the various factors andmethods to achieve right efficacious dosage for percutaneous delivery.

For percutaneous administration, the formulation or composition of theinvention containing endoxifen may be delivered in the form of ointment,emulsion (lotion), cream, gel, powder, oil or similar formulation. Insome embodiments, the formulation comprises excipient additives,including but not limited to vegetable oils such as soybean oil, mustardoil, almond oil, olive oil, groundnut oil, peanut oil, peach kernel oil,groundnut oil, castor oil, canola oil, and the like, animal fats, DMSO,lanolin lipoids, phosphatides, hydrocarbons such as paraffin's,petroleum jelly, waxes, lecithin, detergent emulsifying agents, carotin,alcohols, glycerol, glycerol ether, glycerine, glycol, glycol ethers,polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, non-volatile fatty alcohols,acids, esters, volatile alcoholic compounds, talc, urea, cellulosederivatives, coloring agents, antioxidants and preservatives.

In some embodiments the formulation or composition of the inventioncontaining endoxifen may be delivered as transdermal patch. The patchmay comprise (i) a solution-impermeable backing foil, (ii) a layer likeelement having a cavity, (iii) a microporus or semipermeable membrane,(iv) a self-adhesive layer, and (v) optionally a removable backing film.The layer-like element having a cavity may be formed by the backing foiland the membrane. Alternatively, the patch may comprise (i) asolution-impermeable backing foil. (ii) an open-pored foam, a closedpore foam, a tissue like layer or a fibrous web-like layer as reservoir,(iii) a self adhesive layer, and (iv) optionally a removable backingfilm.

In some preferred embodiments, the composition of the inventioncontaining endoxifen is formulated in hydro alcoholic gel and the amountof endoxifen may vary from 0.001001 to 1.0 gram per 100 grams of gel,most preferably in the range of 0.01-0.20 grams per 100 grams of gel.

In other embodiments, the composition of present invention comprises oneor more fatty acid esters as a penetration enhancer. One of the highlypreferred examples of a fatty acid ester penetration enhancer isisopropyl myristate. When isopropyl myristate is used in gel, the amountmay range e.g., from 0.11 to 5.0 grams per 100 grams of gel, preferablyfrom 0.5 to 2.0 grams per 100 grams of gel.

In another preferred embodiment the composition of invention containingendoxifen may also contain one or more nonaqueous vehicles, such asalcoholic vehicles. Examples of nonaqueous vehicles include ethylacetate, ethanol, and isopropanol, preferably ethanol and isopropanol.These nonaqueous vehicles may be useful for dissolving both the activeagent endoxifen and any other penetration enhancer used. They alsopreferably have a low boiling point, preferably less than 100° C. atatmospheric pressure, to permit rapid evaporation upon contact withskin. In particular, ethanol may effectively contribute to thepercutaneous absorption of endoxifen by rapidly evaporating upon contactwith skin. The amount of absolute nonaqueous vehicle in a gelformulation ranges from 35% to 99% by weight, preferably between 50% to85% and more preferably between 60% to 75%.

In another preferred embodiment, the composition or formulation of theinvention comprises an aqueous vehicle that permits solubilization ofhydrophilic molecules, and promotes moisturization of skin. An aqueousvehicle also can regulate pH. Aqueous vehicles include alkalinizing andbasic buffer solutions, including phosphate buffer solutions, includingphosphate buffer solutions (e.g., dibasic or monobasic sodiumphosphate); citrate buffered solutions (e.g., sodium citrate orpotassium citrate) and purified water. The amount of an aqueous vehiclepreferably ranges between 0.1% to 65% by weight of the pharmaceuticalcomposition, preferably between 15% to 50%, and more preferably between25% to 40%.

In other embodiments, the composition of the invention comprises one ormore gelling agents to increase the viscosity of the composition orformulation or to function as a solubilizing agent. It may constitutebetween 0.1% to 20% by weight of formulation depending on the nature ofgelling agent, preferably between 0.5% to 10% and more preferablybetween 0.5% to 5%. The gelling agents may be carbomers, cellulosederivatives, poloxamers and poloxamines. The preferred gelling agentsare chitosan, dextran, pectins, natural gums and cellulose derivativessuch as ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and the like. The most preferred gelling agent ishydroxypropyl cellulose.

The composition of invention may comprise a gelling agent as describedabove, in particular a non-preneutralized acrylic polymer and alsocomprise a neutralizing agent. The ratio of neutralizing agent/gellingagent varies in between 10:1 to 0.1:1, preferably between 7:1 to 0.5:1,and more preferably between 4:1 to 1:1. A neutralizing agent in thepresence of polymer should form salts that are soluble in the vehicle. Aneutralizing agent also should permit optimum swelling of polymer chainsduring neutralization of charges and formation of polymer salts. Theneutralizing agents include ammonium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide,sodium hydroxide, aminomethylpropanol, trolamine, and tromethamine.Those skilled in the art will select a neutralizing agent according tothe type of geling agent used in the composition or formulation.However, no neutralizing agent is required when a cellulose derivativewill be used as geling agents.

In some embodiments, the compositions of present invention are employedto treat other diseases, and the medication is selected from alipophilic or a compound made lipophilic by derivatization of the groupconsisting of antiasthama, antiarrhythmic, antifungals,antihypertensive, anticancer, antibiotics, antidiabetics,antihistamines, antiparasitics, antivirals, cardiac glycosides,hormones, immunotherapies, antihypotensives, steroids, sedatives andanalgesics, tranquilizers, vaccines, and cell surface receptor blockers.

The use of terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising”, “including”, “having”, and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e. meaning “including but notlimited to”) unless otherwise noted. The use of any and all examples, orexemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merelyto better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on thescope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in thespecifications should be constructed as indicating any non-claimedelement as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described, including thebest mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention.Variations of those preferred embodiments can become apparent to thoseof ordinary skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate,and the inventors intend for the inventions to be practiced otherwisethan specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includesall modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in theclaims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, anycombination of the above-described elements in all possible variationsthereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicatedherein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

EXAMPLES

The following examples further illustrate the invention and are not tobe construed as in any way as limiting its scope.

Example 1 Synthesis of Compound 3

4-Bromophenol (1, 1 kg) and 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran (2, 1.5 L) was mixedtogether in a round bottom flask and cooled to 0° C. Conc. Sulfuric acid(1 mL) was added drop wise while maintaining the temperature below roomtemperature. The solution was stirred at RT for 1 hr. The reactionsolution was diluted with hexane and washed with water (1 L) followed by5% sodium bicarbonate solution (1 L). The organic layer was dried oversodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated in vacuo at 50-55° C. to give anoil (1.55 Kg). Hexane (300 mL) was added to the oil and triturated togive white solid 3. The suspension was cooled to 0° C. and stirred for30 min before it was filtered and washed with cold hexane (100 mL) anddried. Yield 1.32 Kg.

Example 2 Synthesis of Compound 5

Magnesium turnings (115 g) were added to a 10_L 4-neck round bottomflask containing anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (1 L). The mixture was heatedto 55° C. Iodine chips (approx. 5) were added in one lot followed byethyl bromide (5 mL). Compound 3 (1.1 kg) was dissolved in THF (2 L).200 mL of this solution was added at once to Mg-THF suspension. Thereaction was initiated after 30 mins and reflux started. Remainingsolution of compound 3 was added drop wise maintaining the refluxtemperature over a period of 1.5 h. The reaction mixture was furtherrefluxed for 2 hr and the cooled to RT. (2-Chloroethoxyphenyl) phenylbutanone (4, 870 g) in THF (1.5 L) was added drop wise over a period of1 h maintaining the temperature between 30-35° C. The reaction mixturewas refluxed for 4h and cooled to RT. The reaction mixture was pouredinto ice cold 50% hydrochloric acid (3 L). The organic layer wasseparated and the aqueous layer was extracted with THF (3×500 mL). Theorganic layers were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered andconcentrated to give 5 as oil which was carried over to next stepwithout further purification. Yield—1.57 kg.

Example 3 Synthesis of Compound 6

Compound (5, 1.57 kg) was dissolved in methanol (6 L) and conc.hydrochloric acid (1.57 kg) was added. The solution was refluxed for 5h. Methanol was removed in vacuo and dichloromethane (5 L) was added.The organic layer was separated. The aqueous layer was extracted withdichloromethane (2×500 mL). The organic layers were combined and washedwith water (2 L), 5% aq. NaHCO₃ (2 L), water (2 L), dried over sodiumsulfate. Charcoal was added and filtered. The solvent was removed undervacuum to give oil (1.38 kg). The oil was triturated with hexane (5 L)with vigorous stirring to yield 6 as solid product which was filteredand dried. Yield 1.07 kg.

Example 4 Synthesis of Compound I

To a solution of compound 6 (50 g) in isopropanol (500 mL), monomethylamine (300 mL) was added and heated for 24 h maintaining the temperaturebetween 70-75° C. The completion of reaction was monitored by TLC(toluene:triethylamine, 7:3). The solvent was removed in vacuo. Water(500 mL) was added to the residue and extracted with diisopropyl ether(DIPE, 500 mL). The organic layer was separated and the aqueous layerwas back extracted with DIPE (200 mL). The organic layers were combinedand washed with water (500 mL), 5% aq. sodium bicarbonate (500 mL),dried over sodium sulfate and filtered. The solvent was removed in vacuoto give a gummy residue. Ethyl acetate (50 mL) was added and heated todissolve the residue completely. The solution was cooled to RT andhexane (50 mL) was added and stirred for 12 h. The solid was filteredand washed with cold ethyl acetate-hexane (1:1, 10 mL) mixture. ProductI was dried overnight under high vacuum. Yield 25 g.

Example 5 Endoxifen Solution

Endoxifen solution (1 mg/mL) was prepared by solubilizing endoxifen(10.3 mg) in 0.2% glacial acetic acid (10 mL). The pH (˜5.75) of thesolution was adjusted with 1N sodium hydroxide (300 μL).

Example 6 Endoxifen Solution

Endoxifen solution (5 mg/mL) was prepared by solubilizing endoxifen (100mg) in 2% glacial acetic acid (8.6 mL). The solution was diluted with 5%dextrose (10.97 mL). The pH (˜5.56) of the solution was adjusted with 5Nsodium hydroxide (430 μL).

Example 7 Endoxifen Complexes

A suspension of endoxifen, cholesteryl sulfate, and soy lecithin, isproduced by mixing the components together in water and homogenizingusing. e.g., a high pressure homogenizer. The resulting suspension canbe filtered through 0.2 μm filter and then mixed with 7.5% sucrosesolution and lyophilized in either vials or in bulk. The particle sizeof the resulting complexes is determined using standard procedures,e.g., using a Nicomp particle sizer 380.

Example 8 Endoxifen Complexes

A suspension of endoxifen and soy lecithin is produced by mixing thecomponents together in water and homogenizing using, e.g., a highpressure homogenizer. The resulting suspension can be filtered through0.2 μm filter and then mixed with 7.5% sucrose solution and lyophilizedin either vials or in bulk. The particle size is determined usingstandard procedures, e.g., using a Nicomp particle sizer 380.

Example 9 Toxicity Testing

Endoxifen was formulated according to Example 6 and was tested fortoxicity in male Balb/c mice. A single test dose at 100 mg/kg or 50mg/kg was intravenously administered to mice. All the mice died at the100 mg/kg dose level whereas all animals survived at the 50 mg/kg doselevel with no significant loss of body weight. The mice also survived inthe control group with a vehicle control that lacked endoxifen. Repeatdose toxicity study was conducted with a dose of 25 mg/kg administeredconsecutively for 3 days with accumulated dose of 75 mg/kg. All theanimals in this group survived. The results are reported in the tablebelow as the number of mice surviving per total.

Treatment Dose (mg/kg) Survival/Total Single dose 100 0/2 50 4/4 Repeatdose 25 4/4

Example 10 Endoxifen Exhibits Anti-Proliferative Activity AgainstDifferent Tumor Cells

Endoxifen was tested for antiproliferation activity against variouscancer cell lines from Non Small Lung Cancer, Breast Cancer, ProstateCancer, Melanoma Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, CNS Cancer, Renal Cancer andColon Cancers. The cells were incubated for multiple days (3-6) withendoxifen (10 nM to 10 μM) and the inhibition of growth were measured bySRB or MTT staining method. The results indicated significant growthinhibition of cells in the presence of endoxifen ranging from 10 to100%. Endoxifen induce growth inhibition or cell killing in differenttumor cells indicates the usefulness of endoxifen in the treatment ofcancers in humans.

Example 11 Endoxifen Inhibits Estradiol Dependent Breast Tumor Growth

It is known that tamoxifen antagonizes estradiol-dependent breast cancerxenograft growth (34). Endoxifen base and endoxifen-citrate in oraldosage form can be similarly be tested for inhibition of estradioldependent MCF-7 xenograft growth. For the animal experiments, femalenude mice (Bom: NMRI-nu/nu) per xenograft experiment, ages 4 to 6 weeksand weighing 20 to 24 g, are used according to standard protocols. Anexample of such a procedure is as follows:

MCF-7 xenografts are developed by passage of transplantable tumor from aparent tumor established in oophorectomized athymic nude mice treatedwith estradiol (35).

Randomly bred female athymic mice are bilaterally ovriectomized andallowed a 2-week recovery period before the implantation of tumormaterial. The s.c. transplantation of the MCF-7 tumor fragments (size,1×1×1 mm³) is done under anesthesia. The diameter of the tumors ismeasured regularly, e.g., once weekly, using a caliper-like mechanicalinstrument and the tumor volume (V) is calculated according to theempirical equation V=(length×width²)/2. The median volumes of each groupare normalized to the initial tumor volume resulting in the relativetumor volume. In all the experiments, tumor-bearing mice receiveestradiol supplementation [estradiol valeriate (E2D), 0.5 mg/kg once/wki.m.]. This supplementation leads to physiologic levels of serum E2(25-984 pg/mL) that are comparable to the human situation (25-600 pg/mLdepending on the follicular phase).

Substances: The following substances are used: E2D, tamoxifen andendoxifen.

Treatment Modalities: All MCF-7 transplanted animals receive E2D (0.5mg/kg) injections once a week. After 4 weeks, when hormone-supplementedtumors have grown to ˜0.7-0.8 cm in diameter (180-250 mm³), the mice arerandomized into 4 treatment groups of 5-10 mice each. The 5-10 mice aresacrificed as baseline controls for E2D alone.

The treatment groups are: (i) E2D support (0.5 mg/kg once/wk i.m); (ii)E2D support (0.5 mg/kg once/wk i.m) plus tamoxifen (0.5 mg-2 mg)/mouseper day, 5 days/week by gavage; (iii) E2D support (0.5 mg/kg once/wki.m) plus endoxifen (0.5 mg-2 mg)/mouse per day, 5 days/week by gavage;(iv) withdrawal of E2D support.

Suppression of tumor growth in this breast cancer tumor model isindicative of therapeutic effect in the treatment of breast cancer inhumans (34).

Example 12 Endoxifen Minimizes Uterotrophic Effect of Estrogen

It is known that tamoxifen is a non-steroidal agent with potentanti-estrogenic effect in animal and in vitro models. This pharmacologicproperty is related to the drug's ability to compete with estrogen forestrogen receptors in breast tissues, and to inhibit the stimulatoryeffect of estrogen on the uterus, vagina and ovaries (36).

Endoxifen (0.1 mg-2 mg) is administered orally once daily for 28 days todetermine the reduction in utertrophic effect of estradiol; FemaleBALB/c mice approximately 50 days old and weighing 19-20 g are obtained(e.g., from Charles-River, Inc.) and housed four to five per cage at atemperature (23+_1 C) and light (12 h light/day). The atrophic changesare observed in the mice. There will be three groups such as vehiclecontrol, tamoxifen and endoxifen. The animals (5-10 mice) are randomlyassigned to each group. Daily treatments of intact mice with a dose(e.g., 0.1 mg-2 mg) by gavage of tamoxifen or endoxifen are expected tolead to progressive inhibition of uterine and vaginal weight.

Such results will show that endoxifen has better minimizing uterotrophiceffect of estrogen than tamoxifen, and that endoxifen finds use as aneffective anti-estrogen. Endoxifen blocking of uterine weight gainstimulated by estrogen can also be demonstrated in immature rats.Endoxifen preparations showing the effects described above find use inthe treatment of breast cancer as well as other estrogen-sensitiveconditions, such as endometriosis, leiomyomata, and benign breastdisease, as well as other estrogen-responsive conditions in men andwomen.

Example 13 Endoxifen-Caused Decrease of Ki-67 Antigen Expression inProliferating Breast Cancer Cells

Ki-67 is a nuclear non-histone protein. This antigen is absent inquiescent cells and is expressed in proliferating cells and is used as abiomarker (37, 38). Endoxifen base or endoxifen-citrate in oral orinjectable form are given to xenograft breast cancer tumor models (e.g.,as described above), as well as to breast cancer patients.Immunochemical determination of Ki-67 is done in tumor cells from breastcancer tissues from patients, as well as from mice bearing tumors asdescribed in Example 11. The MIB-1 or similar antibody available fromcommercial sources such as DAKO, Carpenteria, Calif. is used forimmunochemical localization of antigen. Decrease in Ki-67 antigenexpression in animals and/or breast cancer patients demonstrate theapplicability of endoxifen in treating breast cancers.

Example 14 Endoxifen Reduces IGF-1 Levels in Breast Cancer

It is known for humans that tamoxifen reduces the levels of circulatinginsulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1). IGF-1 has been used as a surrogatebiomarker and predicts the effectiveness of tamoxifen in treatments ofbreast cancer patients (39). To test the effects of endoxifenpreparations of the present invention, endoxifen base orendoxifen-citrate are given orally or injected to experimental animalsbearing breast cancer tumors. The concentration of IGF-1 levels incontrol and xenografted breast tumor is monitored by established assays(e.g., ELISA Kit from Diagnostics Systems Laboratories, London, UK orDAKO, Carpenteria, Calif.). Endoxifen is administered by gavages at 0.5mg-2 mg per mouse per day, 5 days/week. Decrease of IGF-1 levels andtumor growth reduction indicates the usefulness of IGF-1 as a surrogatemarker for breast cancer.

Example 15 Endoxifen Prevents Development of Bicalutamide—InducedGynecomastia and Breast Pain

Bicalutamide (CasodexR) is used for treating prostate cancer in men.There is growing evidence that IGF-1 may be involved in prostate cancerpromotion and progression. It is also known that anti-estrogen agentssuch as tamoxifen decrease IGF-1 levels and prevent biculatamide—inducedgynecomastia in prostate cancer patients (40). Since, endoxifen is anactive metabolite of the tamoxifen anti-estrogen, the silasticslow-release capsules containing endoxifen for implant or oral doses ofendoxifen (1 mg-10 mg/day) with biculatamide are expected to preventdevelopment of biclutamide—induced gynecomastia and breast pain.

Example 16 Inhibition of PKC by Endoxifen In Vitro

A PKC kinase activity assay kit (Assay Designs, Ann Arbor, Mich.) wasused to test endoxifen PKC inhibitory activity 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, or 0.2mM endoxifen was used in a reaction mix containing PKC 10 ng/well.Tamoxifen in same concentration was used as a positive control.Endoxifen inhibited PKC activity in concentration dependent manner. Thepercentage PKC inhibition ranged between 12 and 80 with endoxifenconcentration between 0.025 and 0.2 mM, respectively. In comparison,tamoxifen, when tested, was found less potent PKC inhibitor at 0.1 and0.2 mM resulting 35 and 25 PKC inhibition, respectively; lowerconcentrations of tamoxifen (0.025 and 0.05 mM) showed negligible PKCinhibition. FIG. 5 shows endoxifen and tamoxifen induced PKC inhibitionat 0.2 mM. The study demonstrated that endoxifen is at least four foldmore potent PKC inhibitor than tamoxifen, and suggests its role in manicdisorder.

Example 17

Endoxifen safety was evaluated in two rodent species. Endoxifensub-chronic toxicity study was conducted in mice and rats. The resultsshowed that oral administration of endoxifen up to 8 mg/kg in mice or upto 4 mg/kg in rats, daily for 28 days had no mortalities; grosspathological examination did not reveal any abnormality related to thetreatment group and animals were free of clinical signs of toxicity.

Example 18

A comparative pharmacokinetic study carried out in rats showed thatorally administered endoxifen (10 mg/kg) resulted in 10 fold higherendoxifen plasma concentration as compared to endoxifen concentrationafter same dose (10 mg/kg) administration of tamoxifen.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patentcited herein, including those in the list below and otherwise cited inthis specification, are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference was individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in the entirelyherein.

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We claim:
 1. A method of treating a cell, comprising exposing said cellto a composition comprising an effective amount of a complex comprisingendoxifen, wherein said endoxifen is a free base or is in the form of asalt.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the cell is in vivo in a host.3. The method of claim 2, wherein said exposing comprises administeringsaid composition to a subject, wherein said administering comprisesoral, intravenous, subcutaneous, percutaneous, parenteral,intraperitoneal, rectal, vaginal, and/or topical delivery saidcomposition to said subject.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein saidsubject is a mammal.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said subject ishuman.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein said subject is at risk for adisease or suffers from a disease.
 7. The method of claim 6, whereinsaid disease is bipolar disorder.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein saiddisease is selected from the group consisting of multiple sclerosis,schizophrenia, Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, Huntington'sdisease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and epilepsy.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said composition comprising endoxifen is formulated ina hydroalcoholic gel, a hydroalcoholic solution, a patch, a cream, anemulsion, a lotion, an ointment, a powder, a tablet, a capsule, anenteric-coated capsule, an enteric coated tablet, a lozenge, or an oil.10. The method of claim 1, wherein said composition comprising endoxifenis formulated in a hydroalcoholic composition containing a penetrationenhancer, an aqueous vehicle, an alcoholic vehicle and a gelling agent.11. The method of claim 10, wherein said hydroalcoholic compositioncomprises a neutralizing agent, wherein said neutralizing agent isselected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, potassiumhydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, aminomethylpropanol, arginine, trolamine,and tromethamine, and wherein said neutralizing agent exists at aneutralizing agent/gelling agent ratio of about 1:1 to about 4:1. 12.The method of claim 10, wherein said hydroalcoholic compositioncomprises: (i) endoxifen at about 0.01% to 0.20% by weight; (ii)isopropyl myristate at about 0.1% to 2.0%, preferably 0.5% to 2.0% byweight; (iii) alcohol at about 50.0% to 80.0%, preferably about 60.0% to75.0% by weight (iv) aqueous vehicle at about 20.0% to 60.0%, preferably25.0% to 50.0% by weight; and (v) gelling agent at about 1.0% to 10.0%,preferably about 0.5% to 5.0% by weight. wherein the percentage ofcomponents is weight to weight of the composition.
 13. The method ofclaim 1, wherein in said composition, endoxifen is predominantly in aform selected from a group consisting of Z-isomer, E-isomer, and amixture of Z- and E-isomer.
 14. The method of claim 1 or claim 13wherein said endoxifen is in the form of a salt selected from the groupof salts consisting of citrate, acetate, formate, oxalate, succinate,tartarate, trifluoroacetate, methane sulfonate, phosphate, sulfate,chloride, bromide, iodide, lactate, and formate salts.
 15. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said composition comprising endoxifen comprises atleast one lipid selected from the group consisting of eggphosphatidylcholine (EPC), egg phosphatidylglycerol (EPG), soyphosphatidylcholine (SPC), hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine (HSPC),dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC), dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol(DMPG), dipalmitoylphosohatidylcholine (DPPC),disteroylphosphatidylglycerol (DSPG), dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol(DMPG), cholesterol (Chol), cholesterol sulfate and its salts (CS),cholesterol hemisuccinate and its salts (Chems), cholesterol phosphateand its salts (CP), cholesterylphosphocholine and otherhydroxycholesterol or amino cholesterol derivatives, cholesterylsuccinate, cholesteryl oleate, polyethylene glycol derivatives ofcholesterol (cholesterol-PEG), coprostanol, cholestanol, cholestane,cholic acid, cortisol, corticosterone, hydrocortisone, and calciferol,E-guggulsterone, Z-guggulsterone, mixture of E- and Z-guggulsterone,monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, carbohydrate-based lipidsselected from a group consisting of galactolipid, mannolipid,galactolecithin, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, stigmastanol, lanosterol,α-spinasterol, lathosterol, campesterol, phosphatidylcholine,phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine,phosphatdylinositol, phosphatidic acid, and pegylated derivatives ofdistearoylphosphatidylglycerol, dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol,dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol, and dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol. 16.The method of claim 1, wherein said composition comprises endoxifen,cholesterol and/or a cholesterol derivative, and one or morephospholipids.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one of saidone or more phospholipids is hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine or soyphosphatidylcholine.
 18. The composition of claim 1, wherein saidcomposition comprising endoxifen comprises a form selected from thegroup consisting of powder, solution, emulsion, micelle, liposome,lipidic particle, gel, paste form, a lyophilized form, and a tablet or afilled capsule, wherein said tablet or filled capsule optionallycomprises an enteric coating material.
 19. The method of claim 1,wherein said composition is in a lyophilized form comprising acryoprotectant, wherein said cryoprotectant comprises one or more sugarsselected from the group consisting of trehalose, maltose, lactose,sucrose, glucose, and dextran.